AURORA — In the last game before the holiday break, No. 1 ThunderRidge played at No. 4 Cherokee Trail and emerged with a 58-45 win and a big momentum boost heading into the new year.
Senior guard Corey Seng delivered another crucial performance for the Grizzlies, pouring in 26 points while also playing a key role in limiting Cherokee Trail’s top offensive producers.
The game was tight throughout the first half as the lead went back and forth. Senior point guard Jaizec Lottie and the Cougars set the tone with occasional full-court pressure and ball-hawk defense, but junior point guard Kaison Hammonds and ThunderRidge matched the home team with patient offense and a number of key threes to take a 23-21 lead into the half.
The Grizzlies came out blazing in the third quarter, opening the half with a 13-2 run to open up a 13-point lead, the largest advantage of the ball game for either side. Timeouts by Cherokee Trail coach Morgan Gregory could not quell ThunderRidge’s roll, as the Grizzlies forced the Cougars into an array of turnovers to take a commanding 39-28 lead heading into the final quarter.
“They come out really strong, but we started playing team offense, team defense and started rebounding better in the second half,” Kaison Hammonds said. “We pushed the ball, too, and that got us open looks.”
In a raucous atmosphere, the Cougars did not quit, but their comeback attempt fell short as ThunderRidge was able to get hard-earned defensive stops throughout the final few minutes of regulation en route to the victory.
Hammonds and sophomore Bailey Verk chipped in eight points apiece for ThunderRidge. Lottie paced the Cougars with 16 points, with additional scoring contributions from Deon Barfield, Joe Cox and Ian Kelly, all of whom had six points.
“Lottie’s a great player and he’s got great handles, so we just tried to keep him in front and force him to shoot the three,” Corey Seng said. “He made quite a few, but we did well limiting some of their other standouts on offense.”
Cherokee Trail (6-2) begins Centennial League play Jan. 4 at Cherry Creek, while ThunderRidge (9-1) plays next at Overland on Jan. 3.
“Heading into the break I’m feeling very confident in our guys, because everyone on the floor can make plays,” Hammonds said. “We have all the pieces in place to make a good run through the playoffs.”
SCORE BY QUARTER:
TRHS 15 8 16 19
CTHS 14 7 7 17
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