The Elkmont Red Devils are definitely out of their slump. They put on an outstanding shooting performance that gave them their first win in four games over the West Morgan Rebels, 73 - 60.
If you weren't at this game, you missed seeing basketball as it is meant to be played. There were all the elements of an exciting game; a rowdy crowd that was loud and having fun; fantastic shooting performances by both teams; lots of run and gun transition basketball and refs that called the game but didn't decide it. This game was fun to watch even if you didn't really care which team won.
Cole Glass got the tipoff to start the game. Bryant Wales drew first blood by draining a 3 pointer from the top of the key then the race was on. It was a fast paced game that Elkmont led at the end of the first quarter, 21 - 17 and at the half, 36-34. Elkmont weren't able to put as many shots up the third quarter and West Morgan outscored the Red Devils 21-15 to make it 55-51, Rebels. West Morgan hit an outstanding percentage of baskets that left Elkmont little opportunity to get a defensive rebound. At the end of the third quarter, the Rebels had shot 5 of 11 threes for 45% and 18 of 22 twos for 82%. In the fourth quarter, West Morgan cooled off, going 0 for 2 three pointers and 2 for 6 twos for 33%. They finished the night with shooting 38% three pointers and hitting 71% of their two pointers. However, Elkmont also was having a great night. They shot 8 of 18 threes for 44%; 18 of 25 twos for 72% and 13 of 21 free throws for 62%. Hayden Huseth had the hot hand for the night, going 6 of 8 for the game (5 for 6 in the second half). Matthew Barnes hit crucial free throws in the closing minutes, going 4 for 4, to seal off any chance of a West Morgan comeback. The Red Devils pulled off a great win and showed the mark of a good team by not folding when they were down by four and West Morgan had the ball in the fourth quarter. Hayden Huseth led Elkmont with 26 points; the other Red Devil in double digits was Skyler Gant with 17. Cole Glass had 9 points with Matthew Barnes and Daniel Logan adding 8 each. Bryant Wales finished the scoring with 5 points.
The difference between the two teams was that Elkmont was able to put up enough shots, hitting a slightly better percentage and had that special "sixth man". The student section was excellent and gave the Red Devils that extra emotion to put them over the top and helped to rattle the West Morgan Rebels' cage when the game was tight. Great fans can be a big factor in a team's win. It looks like Elkmont has found its game and hopefully will bring it to the Limestone County Basketball Tournament that will be hosted by East Limestone next week. The Red Devils' first game will be against Ardmore, Jan. 23 @ 8 pm.
The game box score will be included with the Dust Devil article to be posted Sunday evening.
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