The Kerr-Vance Academy boys’ basketball team lost to the Lighthouse School in the championship game of the KVA Holiday Invitational tournament Saturday afternoon, as the Spartans could never quite find their rhythm in the 62-51 defeat on their home floor.
The Spartans (6-5) kept it close in the first quarter as points were at a premium for both squads, with Lighthouse claiming a 14-10 lead after the first eight minutes of action. The Spartans continued to have trouble finding their scoring form in the second quarter, which ultimately led to them facing a 31-18 deficit at the half.
The flow of the third quarter proved better, with Kerr-Vance trimming the Lighthouse lead to as little as seven points. The Spartans couldn’t maintain their momentum, however, and Lighthouse took a 47-33 lead into the final quarter of play.
The Spartans would once again cut into their deficit, coming within eight points of their opponent, but Lighthouse proved too tough for Kerr-Vance on a night that most of the Spartans’ scorers could not find their shooting touch.
Michael Bowers nearly single-handedly kept Kerr-Vance in the game, scoring a season-high 36 points on the night. Wil Short added 11 for Kerr-Vance, while Jabe Montgomery (2 pts) and Ronnie Brodie (2 pts) were the only other Spartans to find the basket.
“The guys gave a good effort tonight,” Spartans’ head coach Taron Downey said. “Lighthouse simply played more physical than we did, and that took us out of our game. Their [Lighthouse] physicality was really a turning point. I wish we could have just hit a few more shots.”
Despite settling for the runner-up trophy Saturday, Bowers, Short, Brodie and Colby Wilkerson were all named to the All-Tournament squad after excellent performances against both Franklin Academy and Lighthouse. Bowers led the Spartans in scoring in both matchups, recording 26 points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals against Franklin Academy Friday night, before netting a season-high 36 points against Lighthouse Saturday afternoon.
Short did a little bit of everything Friday, filling up the stat sheet with nine points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. He also reached double figures Saturday during a matchup where his squad desperately needed someone to step up. Although he didn’t record a single bucket Saturday, Wilkerson still had enough of an impact to be named to the All-Tournament team, specifically when provided 13 points and three rebounds off the bench Friday evening. Brodie’s game was also a little off during the Spartans’ matchup Saturday, but his 11-point, three-rebound performance Friday against Franklin Academy was enough to earn him a spot.
The Spartans have an extended holiday break before returning to the hardwood Tuesday, Jan. 3 when they travel to Sanford to face Grace Christian in a non-conference matchup.
The Spartans (6-5) kept it close in the first quarter as points were at a premium for both squads, with Lighthouse claiming a 14-10 lead after the first eight minutes of action. The Spartans continued to have trouble finding their scoring form in the second quarter, which ultimately led to them facing a 31-18 deficit at the half.
The flow of the third quarter proved better, with Kerr-Vance trimming the Lighthouse lead to as little as seven points. The Spartans couldn’t maintain their momentum, however, and Lighthouse took a 47-33 lead into the final quarter of play.
The Spartans would once again cut into their deficit, coming within eight points of their opponent, but Lighthouse proved too tough for Kerr-Vance on a night that most of the Spartans’ scorers could not find their shooting touch.
Michael Bowers nearly single-handedly kept Kerr-Vance in the game, scoring a season-high 36 points on the night. Wil Short added 11 for Kerr-Vance, while Jabe Montgomery (2 pts) and Ronnie Brodie (2 pts) were the only other Spartans to find the basket.
“The guys gave a good effort tonight,” Spartans’ head coach Taron Downey said. “Lighthouse simply played more physical than we did, and that took us out of our game. Their [Lighthouse] physicality was really a turning point. I wish we could have just hit a few more shots.”
Despite settling for the runner-up trophy Saturday, Bowers, Short, Brodie and Colby Wilkerson were all named to the All-Tournament squad after excellent performances against both Franklin Academy and Lighthouse. Bowers led the Spartans in scoring in both matchups, recording 26 points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals against Franklin Academy Friday night, before netting a season-high 36 points against Lighthouse Saturday afternoon.
Short did a little bit of everything Friday, filling up the stat sheet with nine points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. He also reached double figures Saturday during a matchup where his squad desperately needed someone to step up. Although he didn’t record a single bucket Saturday, Wilkerson still had enough of an impact to be named to the All-Tournament team, specifically when provided 13 points and three rebounds off the bench Friday evening. Brodie’s game was also a little off during the Spartans’ matchup Saturday, but his 11-point, three-rebound performance Friday against Franklin Academy was enough to earn him a spot.
The Spartans have an extended holiday break before returning to the hardwood Tuesday, Jan. 3 when they travel to Sanford to face Grace Christian in a non-conference matchup.
