The Shadow
A week ago, James River saw a 48-game Pioneer District win streak snapped.
Thursday night, Rob Bennett’s Covington Cougars ran into some angry Knights.
The defending Group A, Division 2 state champions hit their first six shots and shot 61 percent in the first half in a 78-41 route of the Cougars.
Chris Ware scored 21 points and grabbed 12 boards in three quarters of work for River (2-1 Pioneer District, 9-3 overall), who won their second straight since a 60-56 loss to Parry McCluer in Buena Vista last Tuesday.
Tyler Duke and John Bennett both scored 13 for the Knights, while Jordan Talbott tossed in 12 points and hauled in nine boards.
The undermanned Cougars dressed just eight players for the contest and trailed 49-13 at intermission.
“One of these days I’m going to know who I have (on this team), when I will have them and at what position,”
said Bennett of his dwindling roster.
“I feel bad for some of the good kids on this team that they have to go through this. Maybe we will be better people because of it.”
Thursday’s contest was over early.
Less than two minutes in, River had jumped to a 12-0 lead and four minutes later the margin reached 20, 25-5.
Chad Lipes’ foul line jumper with 1:45 left in the half was the only field goal of the second period for the hosts.
Ware scored 10 points in the third period as the Knights’ lead stretched to 70-25.
Lipes led Covington (1-2, 1-11) with 14 points, while Jacorey Hughes and Dominique Jordan both had seven apiece.
The Cougars were manhandled on the boards 47-17.
Covington is back in action on Wednesday night with a trip to district-leading Parry McCluer.
James River held off the Little Cougars in Thursday’s junior varsity contest, 52-41.
Daniel Richmond scored a game-high 18 points for the winners.
Forrest Mayberry topped the CHS scoring column with 11 points and Jordan Miller added 10.
Luke Crawford with nine, Derek Dressler with five, Marcus Jeter with four and Ethan Pierce with two rounded out the scoring.
