Vols make strides, still fall to rival Patriots
It was a much better effort for the Starkville Academy Volunteers against rival Heritage Academy on Thursday night.
No, the Vols were not able to beat the rival Patriots, but progress have been made since the first meeting earlier this season.
Heritage won
a 63-37 decision in Columbus and Starkville Academy was really never in the game. The Vols played a much closer game on their home floor and only lost 53-42 against what is considered by many as the best team in the state.
“We’re making strides as we are heading toward postseason,” Starkville Academy coach Bill Ball said. “That’s not just one of the better teams in our area, but one of the best across the board in all classifications. Physically we were out-manned at every position. They had two 6-4 wings and a 6-5 heck of an athlete in the middle. I thought we competed and could not be more proud of our team.”
The Vols took the fight to the Patriots in the first half and jumped out to a 7-3 lead with 5:25 remaining in the first quarter after a pair of baskets by Jawon Yarbrough and a score by George Delp.
Heritage went on a 12-2 first-quarter run to gain a 15-9 advantage mainly on the scoring of Jared Long, but Dre Frazier and Delp put up back to back baskets as Starkville Academy closed the gap to 15-13 at the end of the first quarter.
Frazier hit a 3-point field goal to open the second quarter to put the Vols up 16-15, then Adam Koussih answered with a shot from long range to give the Patriots an 18-16 lead.
After Taylor Ray had a bucket for Starkville Academy to tie the game at 18-18, Trey Naugher put Heritage back on top 20-18.
The Vols gained a 23-20 advantage with 5:28 left in the second quarter on a 3-pointer by Tanner Graves and a basket by Yarbrough inside.
Back and forth play continued as the Patriots gained a 24-22 edge on a free throw by Steele Altmyer and two more from the charity stripe by Eli Acker.
Delp scored at the 3:05 mark to give Starkville Academy a 25-24 advantage. It was the final time the Vols had the lead as Heritage went on a 6-0 to close the half and established a 30-25 edge at half