The Shadow
Less than five minutes into Monday’s Three Rivers District contest with Giles, and the Alleghany Mountaineers had already surpassed their first half total Saturday in Lexington.
The Mountaineers bounced back from a Rock the Ribbon loss Saturday to the host Wildcats, shooting 61 percent from the floor in the first half Monday in a 78-46 decision over the Spartans.
Triston Hensley scored a career-high 24 points, while Jayson Easton added 19, as the Mountaineers forced 21 first-half Spartan turnovers and built a 44-22 lead at the half.
“It feels good to get a win,” said Alleghany coach Nolan Caldwell. “The last two weeks have been tough on the boys.
“I didn’t feel like we played our best the other night over in Rockbridge, and we couldn’t wait to get back out and give it another shot,” the AHS coach added.
Apparently, Alleghany’s 1-2 punch Monday in Hensley and Easton took those words to heart. The sharpshooters combined for 35 points in the first half with Hensley going a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor in the opening half.
“Triston has been in a little shooting slump. He’d been down on himself the last couple of games, but he’s been putting in the extra time, and I’m glad to see it paid off,” Caldwell said. “He had one his best nights offensively in his career.”
Meanwhile on the defensive side of the ball, Caldwell implemented some pressure defense. That pressure forced 21 first-half Giles miscues and created 24 deflections in the opening half.
“We made a few changes trying to generate some energy early — pressing from the get-to — and we were able to create some buckets off our defense,”?Caldwell said.
“I was very pleased with how active we were on defense.”
Easton’s baseline drive and score, followed by a Hensley 3-ball gave the Mountaineers a 22-9 lead after one.
Easton then dished to Alexandre Taylor inside, and Hensley capped his big first half with a bucket to close the half, as the Mountaineers doubled the Spartans at intermission, 44-22.
The Mountaineers finished the opening half hitting 17 of their 28 shots from the floor, a 61 percent clip.
“That’s about double what we shot Saturday night,” Caldwell said. “We were due.”
Daylin Pinkston scored the final four points of the third quarter for Alleghany. He hit a pair of free throws, then canned a 12-footer to close the third period, as the Mountaineers stretched their lead to 72-37 after three, affording Caldwell the luxury of getting his bench players some minutes in the fourth quarter.
Corey Easton was the third Mountaineers to score in double figures. He finished with 11 points.
With the win, Alleghany improved to 2-2 in Three Rivers District play, 7-6 overall.
Guhner Dunford paced Giles with 14 points. The Spartans were a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line in the contest.
In Monday’s jayvee action, the Mountaineers were a 48-31 winner over the Spartans.
Davien Moore paced a balanced Alleghany attack with 15 points. Garrett Via and Andrew Middleton added five each, while Tyler Simmons, Coree Nicely and Halen Lowman had four apiece.
Matthew Warren and Kellen Lowman each scored three, while Mason Kinsey and Dylan Gibson had two each, and McKinley Goodbar contributed one.
The game was tied 13-13 at the half before the Mountaineers outscored the Spartans 20-8 in a decisive third quarter.
Saturday’s Game
A slow start doomed the Mountaineers in Saturday evening’s finale of the two-day Rock the Ribbon Roundball Shootout at Rockbridge County High School.
The host Wildcats clawed their way to a 29-9 lead at the half and cruised to a 61-43 decision over the Mountaineers.
Jailik Lynch paced Rockbridge County’s balanced attack with 17 points, while Aaron Plogger added 13.
Devin Lewis scored 11 points, while Griff Ray contributed 10.
For Alleghany, Jayson Easton scored a game-high 18 points, while Corey Easton canned three from long distance and added 11.
A Corey Easton basket accounted for the only Alleghany points of the second quarter, as the Mountaineers found themselves in a 20-point halftime hole.
The Mountaineers travel to Carroll County Wednesday before a trip to Glenvar Friday evening.
“We’ve got a big week and a short turnaround,” said Caldwell as he closed his remarks Monday night. “We’ll enjoy this one tonight and get back to it tomorrow.”
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Alleghany big man Xander Harris (34) looks to score Monday night in the post against Giles County. The Mountaineers shot 61 percent from the floor in the first half of their 78-46 win over Giles. The win marked the start of a busy week for the Mountaineers, who take the long trip to Carroll County Wednesday before a trip to Glenvar Friday night. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
