Hickory Grove Christian weathers late Irmo run to claim Mountaineer Classic
KINGS MOUNTAIN - Hickory Grove used a 14-0 run to start the third quarter and withstood a late Irmo (SC) rally to win the championship game of the Mountaineer Holiday Classic, 65-55.
The teams were evenly matched early as they split the first 12 points. CJ Washington gave Irmo the lead with a put back, but Charles Stinson answered with a 3-pointer for Hickory Grove. Julian Kiett went on a personal 4-0 run later in the quarter to put the Yellow Jackets up 14-9, but Stinson hit another 3 to tie the contest at 14-14 before Irmo led 16-14 at the end of the first quarter.
CJ Washington opened the second quarter with a layup before Khari Felder hit a pair of technical foul shots and a Dylan Williams 3-pointer. That spurt put Irmo up 20-14 and they continued to build upon that advantage before Stinson broke the run with a layup.
AJ Smith followed with a pair of foul shots and by the time Stinson scored on a goaltending call, the Lions had roared back to take a 34-33 halftime lead.
DJ Cuttino opened the third quarter with a 3 for Hickory Grove and by the time Kiett hit a layup and a pair of free throws, the Lions led 43-33 to cap a 9-0 run. The run continued on a Kiett 3-point play.
Irmo did not score again until Dylan Williams hit a pair of free throws at the 2:12 mark of the third quarter. He also hit a layup, but Irmo still trailed 49-39 going into the final quarter
Williams drew Irmo closer to start the fourth and then drew a charge, but Jordan Nelson answered with a 3 for the Lions.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Mari Adams, Crest; Isaiah Tate, Kings Mountain; Adrian Sulfren, Mallard Creek; DaShaun Christopher, Shelby; Chris Britt, Gaston Day; Karon Boyd, Cox Mill; Dylan Williams, Irmo; D.J. Cuttino and A.J. Smith (MVP), Hickory Grove.
The game continued to go back and forth, with Hickory Grove leading 55-47 with 4:51 left. Kiett cut the Irmo deficit to 60-55 with a layup with 90 seconds left, but Smith who had 23 points on the night, answered with a decisive 3-point play as Hickory Grove held on for the 65-55 win.
Williams had 13 points in a losing effort for Irmo.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Mari Adams, Crest; Isaiah Tate, Kings Mountain; Adrian Sulfren, Mallard Creek; DaShaun Christopher, Shelby; Chris Britt, Gaston Day; Karon Boyd, Cox Mill; Dylan Williams, Irmo; D.J. Cuttino and A.J. Smith (MVP), Hickory Grove.
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KINGS MOUNTAIN - Hickory Grove used a 14-0 run to start the third quarter and withstood a late Irmo (SC) rally to win the championship game of the Mountaineer Holiday Classic, 65-55.
The teams were evenly matched early as they split the first 12 points. CJ Washington gave Irmo the lead with a put back, but Charles Stinson answered with a 3-pointer for Hickory Grove. Julian Kiett went on a personal 4-0 run later in the quarter to put the Yellow Jackets up 14-9, but Stinson hit another 3 to tie the contest at 14-14 before Irmo led 16-14 at the end of the first quarter.
CJ Washington opened the second quarter with a layup before Khari Felder hit a pair of technical foul shots and a Dylan Williams 3-pointer. That spurt put Irmo up 20-14 and they continued to build upon that advantage before Stinson broke the run with a layup.
AJ Smith followed with a pair of foul shots and by the time Stinson scored on a goaltending call, the Lions had roared back to take a 34-33 halftime lead.
DJ Cuttino opened the third quarter with a 3 for Hickory Grove and by the time Kiett hit a layup and a pair of free throws, the Lions led 43-33 to cap a 9-0 run. The run continued on a Kiett 3-point play.
Irmo did not score again until Dylan Williams hit a pair of free throws at the 2:12 mark of the third quarter. He also hit a layup, but Irmo still trailed 49-39 going into the final quarter
Williams drew Irmo closer to start the fourth and then drew a charge, but Jordan Nelson answered with a 3 for the Lions.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Mari Adams, Crest; Isaiah Tate, Kings Mountain; Adrian Sulfren, Mallard Creek; DaShaun Christopher, Shelby; Chris Britt, Gaston Day; Karon Boyd, Cox Mill; Dylan Williams, Irmo; D.J. Cuttino and A.J. Smith (MVP), Hickory Grove.
The game continued to go back and forth, with Hickory Grove leading 55-47 with 4:51 left. Kiett cut the Irmo deficit to 60-55 with a layup with 90 seconds left, but Smith who had 23 points on the night, answered with a decisive 3-point play as Hickory Grove held on for the 65-55 win.
Williams had 13 points in a losing effort for Irmo.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Mari Adams, Crest; Isaiah Tate, Kings Mountain; Adrian Sulfren, Mallard Creek; DaShaun Christopher, Shelby; Chris Britt, Gaston Day; Karon Boyd, Cox Mill; Dylan Williams, Irmo; D.J. Cuttino and A.J. Smith (MVP), Hickory Grove.
