BOYS BASKETBALL

Humboldt boys hang on for 14-A win over Bradford

Michael Odom
michodom@jacksonsun.com
Humboldt's Kortland Martin (31) puts up a shot against defense from Bradford's Marquez Pirtle (14) at Humboldt High School in Humboldt, Tenn., on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016.

HUMBOLDT - Tuesday night was not Humboldt's best performance in the early season, but the Vikings played well enough to keep their undefeated season intact.

Humboldt held off a second-half rally from Bradford for a 66-61 victory at home.

"This is district play, and these games are not going to be easy," Humboldt coach Ron Abernathy said. "We can't expect to go out and win every game by 20 or 30 points. We have to just take them one game at a time."

Humboldt (6-0, 3-0) remains undefeated in District 14-A play, while Bradford (5-4) fell to 1-3 in district play.

Post players Anthony Jones and Justin Pankey led the Vikings with 17 points each, while R.J. Abernathy added 10 points.

"Everybody had to focus in late," Pankey said. "I knew I needed to step up and score."

The Red Devils cut Humboldt's lead to two points (50-48) on a Phenix Street basket with 4:08 to play.

But the Vikings played well in spurts throughout Tuesday night's game and one of those rallies came in the middle of the fourth quarter.

"We did a better job getting the ball inside," Abernathy said. "We worked the ball around. We can run, but we can also work the ball."

Pankey hit two free throws and converted a three-point play before Jones capped off the seven-point run with a dunk for the 57-48 lead with 2:43 to play.

Humboldt's Anthony Jones (45) goes up for a dunk against Bradford at Humboldt High School in Humboldt, Tenn., on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016.

Humboldt struggled with foul trouble throughout the game, and three players fouled out in the final 2:43.

But the Vikings continued to look to their post players to make sure Bradford couldn't go on another rally.

The foul trouble started for Humboldt in the first quarter when point guard Jarred Walker picked up two quick fouls, and the Vikings struggled in the half-court for a little while.

"Walker has been our point guard for three years, and when he went out, we had to adjust a little bit," Abernathy said. "We did finally."

But Humboldt responded with an 11-point rally midway through the second quarter with Kortland Martin hitting a layup and a 3-pointer and converting a three-point play for eight of the 11 points.

"We know what to do next time we play them," Pankey said. "We have to stop fouling and handle the ball better. When Jarred got in foul trouble, it was hard because he is our team leader."

Bradford's Marquez Pirtle scored a game-high 27 points, while Street added 13 and Kobe Eddings finished with 12.

Humboldt's RJ Abernathy (2) draws a foul from Bradford's Phenix Street (22) at Humboldt High School in Humboldt, Tenn., on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016.

Girls

Humboldt 57,

Bradford 41

The Lady Vikings (3-5, 2-1) picked up a second District 14-A win in the first half of the season with a 34-point second half.

With the scored tied 22-22 at halftime, Humboldt outscored the Lady Red Devils (1-8, 0-4) by 17 points in the second half.

The Lady Vikings had three in double figures led by Chesslyn Owens with 12, while Cierra Williams and Mariah Horton added 10 points each.

Myriel Price led Bradford with 10 points.

Michael Odom, 425-9754