By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
The Washburn Rural boys blasted out of the gate Friday versus Hayden, compiling an early lead that led to a 79-62 win, the Junior Blues’ second in Centennial League play.
Sophomore Brooks Ballard drilled a trio of 3-pointers in the first quarter to help give Washburn Rural a 22-9 advantage in the opening period.
Sophomore Brooks Ballard scored a game-high 24 points with six 3-pointers in Washburn Rural's 79-62 Centennial League win over Hayden Friday night at Rural. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
“I thought we did a really good job early,” said Washburn Rural coach Alex Hutchins. “Hayden has had some games where they’ve struggled early. So, we thought it was really important to get off to a good start and try to take control of the game. So, I was pleased with that.”
Washburn Rural senior Draden Chooncharoen scored 10 points in Friday's 79-62 Centennial League win over Hayden. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Senior John Hoytal scored 16 points in Friday's 79-62 Washburn Rural win over Hayden. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Ballard went on to tally 24 points to lead the home team. John Hoytal, Simon Rowley and Draden Chooncharoen each broke double figures, and eight Junior Blues got in the scoring column on a very efficient offensive night. Washburn Rural hit 28 of 49 shots from the field.
“This feels like a good team win,” said Chooncharoen. “Our coach says we can really play 12 guys. That’s how deep we are. So, it just feels good getting a good win for our team with everyone contributing.”
The Junior Blues picked up their sixth victory in a row to improve to 7-2
“We just want to keep our momentum going,” Chooncharoen said. “Every day at practice, just keep working hard. Just keep going game by game. I feel like our senior class is really keeping everyone composed. We got a lot of young guys contributing and our team chemistry is pretty good. We all get along pretty well. We have fun at practice, but also get stuff done. So, it’s a lot of fun.”
Hayden got 20 points from junior Carrter Compton. Connor Hanika, Makhi Kidd and Mason Becker each broke double figures for the Wildcats.
Hutchins was pleased with the win, but he saw breakdowns on defense that he knows must be addressed.
“It seemed sloppy,” Hutchins said. “I did not like our defensive execution, especially late in the game. So, I’m excited to get into the film just to try to see what we can clean up and do better, because we’re going to have to be a lot better on the defensive end.”
WASHBURN RURAL BOYS 79, HAYDEN 62
Hayden 9 11 16 26 -- 62
Washburn Rural 22 13 16 28 -- 79
Hayden (3-7 0-2) – Mitchell 0-7 0-2 0, Hanika 4-8 7-10 15, Becker 4-7 1-2 12, Kidd 6-11 1-4 13, Compton 8-16 1-2 20, Tourtillott 1-3 0-0 2, Wolff 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 23-53 10-20 62.
Washburn Rural (7-2, 2-0) – Rowley 4-14 3-4 11, Ballard 7-10 4-4 24, Hoytal 8-13 0-1 16, Chooncharoen 4-6 2-2 10, Schmidt 1-1 0-0 2, O’Connor 1-2 0-0 2, Wright 1-1 6-8 8, Bradley 2-2 0-0 6, Nimz 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 28-49 15-21 79.
3-point goals – Hayden 6 (Becker 3, Compton 3), Washburn Rural 8 (Ballard 6, Bradley 2). Total fouls – Hayden 16, Washburn Rural 14. Fouled out – None. Technical fouls – Wright, Compton, Hayden bench.
