RATTLERS SQUEEZE PAST RED DEVILS - 52-49

The 2A top ranked Tanner Rattlers beat the 3A 8th ranked Elkmont Red Devils in a close back and forth game last night, 52-49.


The game started with the Tanner starting five on the bench for disciplinary reasons.  The Red Devils weren't able to take advantage of the situation, missing shots and making unforced turnovers. 

They squandered their opportunity to be ahead of the Rattlers at the end of the first quarter and had to settle with being behind by three, 11-8.  The second quarter brought Tanner's starting five to the floor and the Red Devils picked up their game.  Tanner went on a run but Elkmont battled back and trailed by one at the half, 24-23.  The Rattlers had a hard time adapting to an aggressive 2-3 zone that kept under the basket shots down and were forced to shoot from outside the paint resulting in a 23% percentage in the first half.

The second half continued a hard fought competitive game. Matthew Hines illustrated some beautiful drives in the modern game of basketball but would have been considered traveling 20 years ago.  He hops and spins from the free throw line to the basket with such grace that it is difficult to call it a walk.  Elkmont pulled ahead, 35-31 with 56 seconds left in the third quarter.  Daniel Logan went to bench and the Rattlers went on a scoring spree (6-0), ending the third quarter with a 37-35 score.  The Red Devils made another run at the Rattlers and were ahead 47-43 with 3:52 left in the quarter.  It looked bright for an upset but missed free throws down the stretch (most were the front of a one and one), a starter fouling out and other mistakes cost Elkmont an excellent opportunity to come away with a huge victory.  The top ranked Tanner team claimed the win, 52-49.


The Rattlers were led by Matthew Hines with 12 points and 7 assists.  Greg Maclin and Jace Haggermaker finished with 10 points.  Tanner shot 17-27 free throws for 63%. Elkmont's top scorer was Skyler Gant with 11 points.   Cole Glass and Daniel Logan contributed 10 each to the score.  The Red Devils shot 6-12 free throws for 50%.

ELKMONT VS TANNER – DEC 19,  2011

	PTS	FOUL	REB	AST		STL	BLK	2FG	2FGA	3FG	3FGA	FT	FTA	OFF REB	DEF REB
GUEST	52											17	29
HOME	49		28	11		7	3	11	22	7	19	6	12	5	23
HOME	PTS		REB	AST		STL	BLK	2FG	2FGA	3FG	3FGA	FT	FTA	OFF REB	DEF REB
GLASS	10		10	1		2	3	3	4	0	0	4	6	1	9
LOGAN	10		7	4		2	0	0	2	3	5	1	3	0	7
GANT	11		7	1		0	0	5	9	0	2	1	3	2	5
HUSETH	8		1	3		1	0	1	2	2	8	0	0	1	0
LaBATHE	5		2	1		1	0	1	2	1	3	0	0	0	2
WALES	3		0	1		1	0	0	2	1	1	0	0	0	0
BARNES	2		1	0		0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0
THOMAS	0		0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
WEAVER	0		0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

3FG =   7/19            37%

2FG =   11/22         50%

FT   =      6/12         50%

TURNOVERS:  14

Staff reporter:  Hill Spirit
Picture: Down Home Portaits/ Casey Newport