Jackets’ pressure, balance helps them to 1st-round win
Calhoun runs past Hart County thanks to strong defense, multiple scorers
In what proved to be nothing less than a dominating showing in the first round of the Class AAA State Tournament, the Calhoun boys turned in one of its best performances on both sides of the court in a 75-53 rout of the Hart County Bulldogs.
The Yellow Jackets ( 214) executed its defensively-minded gameplan to near perfection, often utilizing suffocating pressure to create turnovers and generate easy baskets on the offensive end for veteran scorers.
“I felt like we were really successful with our press in the first half, and we were able to really set the tempo for the rest of the game,” Calhoun head coach Vince Layson said. “I believe a physical game really plays into our hands.”
Guard Malik Lawrence was the primary beneficiary of this attack, quickly pushing the ball down the court and finishing at the rim. The Bulldogs ( 14- 15) couldn’t seem to find an answer for Lawrence, who racked up a game-high 20 points.
“We rely on our older guys like Malik to bring the fight to the other team,” Layson said. “I thought tonight our veteran guards really handled the pressure.”
Calhoun wasted no time in the first quarter, jumping out to a smooth 10- 0 lead. Forward Davis Allen anchored Calhoun early, scoring eight points in the game’s opening minutes. Allen finished the game with 18 points and seven crucial rebounds.
“Davis has been working really hard in practice and putting in the time to improve,” Layson said. “I am just really happy to see that paying off.”
The Bulldogs kept the score tight at 19- 18 after the first, but the Jackets opened the game up in the second quarter with another 10-0 scoring run. From that point on, Calhoun was able to settle into its pressure and extend the lead to 40-27 heading into halftime.
Chapin Rierson was also an important contributing factor for the Jackets in the first half, scraping together 10 points before the break. Operating as a force in the paint on both ends, Rierson posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
The second half was more of the same for Calhoun, as the team’s defense remained stifling while the lead expanded to a comfortable 56-39 at the conclusion of the third quarter.
Jackets guard Porter Law was a source of great frustration for Hart County in the second half, manufacturing five steals down the stretch. Law also chipped in seven points, four rebounds and five assists.
“I was really pleased with how we were able to keep playing defensively down the stretch,” Layson said. “We have some strong, tough guys and I think we were able to kind of wear them down as the game went on.”
Hart County strung together a few buckets in the fourth quarter, but the scoring deficit had grown too large. Kaylan Aker, Jarrett Washington and Lawrence tacked on a few scores in the closing minutes as Calhoun cruised to the 75- 53 final score.
Hart County was led by Jerrion Sapp who scored 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Tevin Craft was also in double figures with eight, including two 3s, and Rex McCord and Tyler Dalton each scored eight.
The Jackets are slated to host the Central (Macon) Chargers (20-7) in the second round of the Class AAA State Tournament at The Hive on Thursday at 6 p.m.
The Jackets have now won nine straight games, and this is the fifth straight season Calhoun has advanced to at least the second round of the state tournament, and they are trying to reach the Elite Eight for the third time in that timespan.
Central (Macon) defeated Appling County 107-69 in the first round on Saturday and are 20-7 going into the second-round matchup.