Cougars rely on hot Hand vs. Indians

FAYETTEVILLE — A hot hand was just what The New School’s boys needed to start off a big week in 1A-1 West Conference basketball play.

Junior guard Jaxon Hand made seven three-pointers Monday night and finished with a game-high 23 points to lead the Cougars to a 61-51 victory on their home floor over defending Class 1A state champion County Line.

The win moves The New School (22-3, 5-0) a step closer to a possible meeting of league unbeatens Friday night against Ozark Catholic, but the Cougars are scheduled to travel to St. Paul for a conference matchup tonight.

“What an incredible start for us,” The New School Coach David Farrell said. “Jaxon Hand just shot the cover off it. The whole team was urgent and ready to play.

“It all started last Friday against Mulberry on the road. It’s a big eight days for us, and we’re halfway through it. We haven’t been in that position a lot — against a real good team with a lead. We let some of it slip there at the end, but we fought to keep that 10-point lead.”

Hand hit a trio of three-pointers in the first quarter, and his second shot from three-point range did more than give the Cougars a 10-8 lead. It ignited an 18-3 run to close out the opening 8 minutes and allowed The New School to build a 25-11 lead.

Hand, however, wasn’t done there. He hit three more three-pointers in the second quarter, and he scored 11 points during another 16-2 outburst to extend the lead to a 42-18 margin at one point before the Cougars enjoyed a 45-23 halftime cushion.

“My teammates found me,” Hand said. “Jaiden [Wilson], J-Mar [Jackson Marshall] did a good job getting the ball to me, and we had good energy on defense. I think that helped me get into the floor and get some shots to fall. It was a good team win.

“I try to stay consistent. I try not to think about the last shot, but when you have a hot hand, you’re always looking for the next one.”

County Line (15-10, 2-2) was able to get within 48-33 at one point after Nate Johnston’s bucket with 3:37 left in the third quarter. The Indians were within 58-45 when Hand hit his seventh three-point to end a shot run. County Line then scored the last three buckets, with the last one coming inside as The New School guarded the perimeter in order to not give up a three-pointer and have its lead cut into single digits.

Wilson was a close second for The New School with 22 points. Adrian Bean finished with 12 points to lead County Line, while Johnson chipped in 10.