The Washburn Pirates came into Sonny Smith Gymnasium on Saturday looking to upset the Cloudland Highlanders. For a while, it looked they might just do that. The Highlanders struggled early, allowing Washburn to lead by as much as 13, before taking the victory over the Pirates 80-39.
The Pirates opened the game on a 13-0 run before the Highlanders could even get on the board. Logan Morgan hit a two for the ‘Landers with 1:39 remaining in the first quarter to end the Washburn run. Cloudland ended the quarter on a 5-0 run as they trailed Washburn 15-7 at the end of the first quarter. Cloudland continued their comeback in the second quarter as they outscored the Pirates 23-10 behind the efforts of Jordan Hughes. Hughes lit up the scoreboard as he scored nine of his game high 17 points. A Matthew Potter 3-pointer gave the ‘Landers their first lead of the night. Potter sunk two free throws right before the half to give the ‘Landers a 30-25 lead at the break.
“I didn’t think we came out ready to play,” Cloudland head coach Ned Smith said. “We were not focused, and the concentration wasn’t there. We weren’t doing the things we needed to do to win.”
However, it was a different story in the second half for the ‘Landers as they exploded offensively. The teams traded shots as the third quarter opened before the Highlanders went on an 18-0 run to put the game out of reach. The ‘Landers kept the pressure on the Pirates in the fourth as they outscored the Pirates 45-14 in the half.
“The second half we came out and got after it,” Smith said. “We played some defense, and we got some shots from up top to get us going. I think that we need to play to four quarters. We have to come ready to play every night.”
Cloudland had four players reach double figures as Hughes led the ‘Landers with 17 points, four steals, and three rebounds. Lucas Clawson had 15 points and six rebounds. Logan Morgan had 14 points, while Potter added 12 points. Randall Johnson pitched in eight points, and Brett Stockton had six points, nine rebounds, and three blocks.
The Pirates were led by Jacob Capps’ 12 points and Lucas Brooks’ 10 points.
The ‘Landers will face Hampton next Tuesday at 6:00pm at Chuckey-Doak High School with a sub-state berth at stake.
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Washburn (39)
Hixon 8, Capps 12, Beard 2, S. Thompson 2, Taylor 1, Brookes 10, Burt 4
Cloudland (80)
Hughes 17, Stockton 6, Johnson 8, Clawson 15, Gouge 2, Morgan 14, Sluder 2, Potter 12, Clark 4
Score by Quarter
Washburn- 15 10 11 3-39
Cloudland- 7 23 35 15-80
3-pt FG- Cloudland- 7(Hughes 2, Morgan 2, Clawson 1, Johnson 1, Potter 1) Washburn 2(Capps 2)
Technicals-None
