12-06-2013, 10:35 PM
12-07-2013, 09:22 AM
Ashland blows by Boyd County, 81-59
Rocky Stanley
The Independent
ASHLAND — Viewed as something of a question mark entering the season, Ashland is delivering positive answers out of the gate.
The Tomcats continued their fast start Friday night, punching the accelerator in the second half and pulling away from rival Boyd County 81-59 at James A. Anderson Gym.
Ashland’s up-tempo game flourished for the second time in a row, forcing Boyd County into 25 turnovers that led to easy baskets and a 56-percent shooting night for the Tomcats.
“I thought our intensity, especially on the defensive end, was really good for four quarters,” Ashland coach Buddy Biggs said. “The kids ran the floor extremely hard both ways.”
Faced with the challenge of replacing three starters, the Tomcats are getting it done with a team effort.
Four players scored in double figures, including another big night from junior forward Nick Miller, and Ashland consistently found the open man going to the basket.
“I’m pleased with the assists,” Biggs said. “I think we had 21 as a team. Everybody did a good job sharing the ball. A lot of the layups came from defense. At times, our defense was our best offense.”
Leading by five points at halftime, the Tomcats’ pressure defense helped Boyd County pile up 11 turnovers in the third quarter in extending the lead to 60-48.
“We started doing our 33-up press,” senior guard Tyler Stewart said. “That was working. We were able to get some double teams and create steals.”
Stewart scored on two layups off Ross Thompson assists during the surge. Thompson led the team in assists with seven.
“We were just running the floor and doing what we do,” said Stewart, who has quickly settled into a starting role after coming off the bench last season. “Everyone’s in on the action.”
Stewart finished with 16 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field. Biggs calls it a matter of a player making the best of an opportunity.
“Last season, Tyler played behind (Logan) Salow and (Zach) Hart,” Biggs said. “He probably got 8-10 minutes a game. This year he really cranked it up. He’s gotten a little bigger and stronger in the weight room. We had several spots open ... he just wouldn’t be denied. Tyler has great closing speed and can get to the rim.”
Miller, who scored 23 points, and Thompson each hit a 3-pointer early in the third quarter to get the margin into double figures.
Boyd County coach Randy Anderson shook his head while reflecting on the Lions’ wave of turnovers in the third period.
“Defensively, Ashland squeezed us to the baseline and got us out of sorts,” Anderson said of the Tomcats’ pressure. “They did a good job with it. We didn’t react well.”
The Tomcats (2-0) put the game out of reach with a 10-point run to open the fourth quarter. Miller and Damantie Thornton each supplied four points as the lead ballooned to 70-48 with six minutes remaining.
Thornton scored 14 points, while teammate Steven Friley had another sterling performance inside with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Earlier, Friley and Thornton combined for three putbacks during a two-minute span of the second quarter as Ashland erased Boyd County’s 18-15 lead.
Boyd County (0-2) shot only 35 percent from the field overall. Conner Gauze, a 6-foot-5 junior, was a bright spot for the Lions with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
“Conner is a pup as far as playing experience,” Anderson said. “He’s coming leaps and bounds every day. Every practice, he’s there to get better.”
Tristan Burgess scored 14 points and Grayson Griffith added 12 for the Lions.
Weather permitting, Ashland will try to carry over its momentum at 5 p.m. today in a matchup with Montgomery County at the Bart Rison Classic in Mount Sterling.
Rocky Stanley
The Independent
ASHLAND — Viewed as something of a question mark entering the season, Ashland is delivering positive answers out of the gate.
The Tomcats continued their fast start Friday night, punching the accelerator in the second half and pulling away from rival Boyd County 81-59 at James A. Anderson Gym.
Ashland’s up-tempo game flourished for the second time in a row, forcing Boyd County into 25 turnovers that led to easy baskets and a 56-percent shooting night for the Tomcats.
“I thought our intensity, especially on the defensive end, was really good for four quarters,” Ashland coach Buddy Biggs said. “The kids ran the floor extremely hard both ways.”
Faced with the challenge of replacing three starters, the Tomcats are getting it done with a team effort.
Four players scored in double figures, including another big night from junior forward Nick Miller, and Ashland consistently found the open man going to the basket.
“I’m pleased with the assists,” Biggs said. “I think we had 21 as a team. Everybody did a good job sharing the ball. A lot of the layups came from defense. At times, our defense was our best offense.”
Leading by five points at halftime, the Tomcats’ pressure defense helped Boyd County pile up 11 turnovers in the third quarter in extending the lead to 60-48.
“We started doing our 33-up press,” senior guard Tyler Stewart said. “That was working. We were able to get some double teams and create steals.”
Stewart scored on two layups off Ross Thompson assists during the surge. Thompson led the team in assists with seven.
“We were just running the floor and doing what we do,” said Stewart, who has quickly settled into a starting role after coming off the bench last season. “Everyone’s in on the action.”
Stewart finished with 16 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field. Biggs calls it a matter of a player making the best of an opportunity.
“Last season, Tyler played behind (Logan) Salow and (Zach) Hart,” Biggs said. “He probably got 8-10 minutes a game. This year he really cranked it up. He’s gotten a little bigger and stronger in the weight room. We had several spots open ... he just wouldn’t be denied. Tyler has great closing speed and can get to the rim.”
Miller, who scored 23 points, and Thompson each hit a 3-pointer early in the third quarter to get the margin into double figures.
Boyd County coach Randy Anderson shook his head while reflecting on the Lions’ wave of turnovers in the third period.
“Defensively, Ashland squeezed us to the baseline and got us out of sorts,” Anderson said of the Tomcats’ pressure. “They did a good job with it. We didn’t react well.”
The Tomcats (2-0) put the game out of reach with a 10-point run to open the fourth quarter. Miller and Damantie Thornton each supplied four points as the lead ballooned to 70-48 with six minutes remaining.
Thornton scored 14 points, while teammate Steven Friley had another sterling performance inside with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Earlier, Friley and Thornton combined for three putbacks during a two-minute span of the second quarter as Ashland erased Boyd County’s 18-15 lead.
Boyd County (0-2) shot only 35 percent from the field overall. Conner Gauze, a 6-foot-5 junior, was a bright spot for the Lions with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
“Conner is a pup as far as playing experience,” Anderson said. “He’s coming leaps and bounds every day. Every practice, he’s there to get better.”
Tristan Burgess scored 14 points and Grayson Griffith added 12 for the Lions.
Weather permitting, Ashland will try to carry over its momentum at 5 p.m. today in a matchup with Montgomery County at the Bart Rison Classic in Mount Sterling.