Rebels: Fannin defeats Cougars
A 23-point run in the second quarter by the Fannin County Rebels was too much for Copper Basin’s Cougars to overcome in basketball action Friday night in the Copper Basin gym.
The visitors from across the state line used a stingy defense in the opening quarter to come out with an 11-5 lead.
Hudson Ethington scored four first quarter points to set Fannin’s pace while Dawson Pittman drained a long three-pointer to shine for Basin.
The second quarter, 23-point onslaught for Fannin was led by 10 points from Matthew Ponton. Five added points gave the Rebels 28 for the quarter.
On the opposite end of the court, Basin again faced a defense that wouldn’t budge and was held to five more points. This time Carson Parris and Carder Lance scored two each to pace the Cougars.
The teams took the halftime break with Fannin leading 39-10.
Copper Basin rallied in the third quarter to match Fannin county point for point, both teams adding 17 to their total.
Copper Basin was paced by a balanced attack as Lance and Drew Crowder scored five point each, Darrius Harris added four and Talon Smith hit a long three pointer.
Fannin’s 17 were led by Ponton, Keaton Watkins and Jack Sparks with three points each.
Led by seven points from Parris, Basin bounced back in the final stanza to outscore Fannin 20-15.
Kolby Kaylor led the Rebels with three points, but the Rebels had too much of an advantage over their hosts and went home a 71-47 decision.
As a team, the Rebels blocked four shots and grabbed 12 steals. Fannin controlled the paint, grabbing 30 rebounds, Kolton Kaylor leading the team with six. The Rebels also passed the ball well with 15 assists on 28 made baskets. Ponton led the team with five assists.
Following Ponton’s pace setting 13 points were Jack Sparks with 12 points, Hudson Ethington adding 11 points, Keaton Watkins putting up 10 points, Jasper Mealer and Reid Holloway with five points each, Kaylor and Brody Henson with four points, Kolby Kaylor adding three points and Tyler Blake and Kylan Dover putting in two points each.
Lance led a balanced Copper Basin attack with 10 points, followed by Smith and Parris with nine each, Crowder and Harris with eight apiece, and Pittman with his lone three-pointer.