Demons continue to fight through adversi

Demons win second-half battle but fall to visiting Polar Bears

Freshman Brennan Stanley (2) puts up a shot over a pair of Bracken Co. players for two of his game-high 27 points.

By Wade Holland

Publisher

Just as it has been all season, the Williamstown Demons were every bit as good as their opponent for the majority of the game, but were unable to sustain it for four full quarters in an 86-71 loss to visiting Bracken Co.

Williamstown held its own in the first quarter and trailed by only three before a lethargic second period when Bracken Co. outscored the Demons 25-9. And despite winning the second-half battle by outscoring the visitors over the final 16 minutes, the damage done in the second period proved to be the difference in the game.

Williamstown Coach Roger Harden had nothing but praise for his team's performance, and never-say-die attitude, in the second half, but was none too happy with the way the Demons went into the intermission.

"I was proud of our effort and our fight in the second half, but the first half we had a lot of great opportunities but our intensity was not there and we had several crucial turnovers," he said. "I was happy with the way we came back in the second half, but just like we have done all season, we just didn't put four full quarters together.

"Some of that is youth and inexperience, but

Stanley scores 27, Jump 22 in WHS' 86-71 Bracken loss

Sophomore Dustin Smith (55) takes the ball to the hoop for two of his 11 points against Bracken Co. Smith hit three shots from long range in the game.

at this point in the season I've got to start doing a better job of getting them to take responsibility for their attitude," he continued. "We've got two players averaging 18 points a game and a lot of times I feel like we are standing around waiting on them to bail us out when we need others to be stepping up and contributing."

Freshman point guard Brennan Stanley was arguably the best player on the floor and finished with a game-high 27 points, including seven 3-pointers. He scored points in all four quarters, including 12 over the final eight minutes.

Fellow guard Jon Jump also contributed points in all four quarters for the Demons and finished with 22, including a pair from long range. The sophomore shooting guard scored 15 in the second half.

The duo of Stanley and Jump combined for more than two thirds of Williamstown's points, scoring 49 of the Demons' 71 total points.

Sophomore forward Dustin Smith hit a trio of 3-pointers and finished with 11 points to give the Demons three players in double digits. Junior center Carter Sarcione beat and banged his way to five points off the bench.

Bryce Montgomery, Chris Parsons and Walker Angell all scored two points apiece to round out the scoring for the Demons.

*****

Playing one of the better halves of basketball they have played all season, the Demons hung with Pendleton Co. for the first half and were still in the game early in the

Jon Jump is fouled on the shot against Bracken Co. The sophomore guard finished with 22 points.

third quarter before Pendleton Co. dominated down the stretch of a 91-55 loss.

Jon Jump hit four 3-pointers to finish with a team-high 12 points, followed by Brennan Stanley with 11, which included three 3-pointers.

Dustin Smith added nine for the Demons, followed by Brady Montgomery with six, Harold Fernandez five, Chris Parsons and Cameron Varner four each, and Bryce Montgomery and Landon Hare two apiece to round out the Williamstown offense.

*****

Playing well at times, Williamstown traveled to Henry Co. on Jan. 30 and ended up on the losing end of a 64-48 score despite 20 points from Jon Jump, which included four 3-pointers.

Brennan Stanley hit a pair from long range and five free throws on his way to 13 points for the Demons.

Carter Sarcione came off the bench to add four points to Williamstown's offensive total, followed by Dustin Smith, Brady Montgomery and Harold Fernandez with three each, and Landon Hare with two.

*****

Showing signs of obvious improvement, Williamstown put up an excellent fight in a 73-64 loss on the road at district-rival Walton-Verona.

Three players scored in double figures for the

Demons, led by Jon Jump with 16, which included three 3-pointers.

Brennan Stanley and Cameron Varner added 15 each for Williamstown. Varner hit a season-high five 3-pointers. Stanley hit one from behind the arch.

Harold Fernandez hit a pair of 3-pointers and finished with eight points for the Demons, followed by Dustin Smith with five, Landon Hare three, and Chris Parsons two.