Road unkind to Mavericks
It was a tough road swing last week for the Anderson County Mavericks as they fell at Oak Ridge by a score of 83-59 on Tuesday.
The Wildcats held a meager 18-12 lead at the end of the first quarter but exploded for 30 points in the second quarter to lead 48-22 at halftime.
The Maverick’s offense improved in the third quarter but Oak Ridge still slightly extended their lead to 72-44.
Anderson County cut into the Wildcat’s lead in the fourth quarter but it was too little, too late.
“Bottom line is they got 50 points inside the paint. We played about as bad as we could in the first quarter and I look at and three minutes into the second quarter and we’re only down seven. It was extremely physical. Against Oak Ridge if you don’t call a hand check, they’re going to have their way with you. We played really well in the fourth quarter and you can’t win like that,” said Derek Wallace, head coach of the Mavericks.
Spencer Chandler led the Mavericks with 17 points while Lavert Smith led Oak Ridge, also with 17.
AC 12 10 22 15 59
OR 18 30 24 11 83
AC — Spencer Chandler (17), Harrison Ogburn (9), Braden Irwin (6), Grant Hayes (6), Marguise Gallahar (5), Jordan Hembree (5), Brady Moore (5), Brady Garren (4), Ethan Powers (2)
Oak Ridge — Lavert Smith (17), Seth Caldwell (12), Herbert Booker (11), Joe Kesterson (11), Caleb Martin (10), Isaiah Johnson (8), Marcus Smith (7), Cobe Angel (4), Shemar Smith (3)
Road worries continued for the Mavericks on Friday as they lost at Powell 74-59.
Turnovers and missed shots hurt Anderson County in the first quarter as the Panthers jumped out to a 26-13 lead.
The Mavericks did a better job of containing the Powell scoring effort in the second quarter but the Panthers led 43-28 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Anderson County played the Panthers nearly evenly as Chandler, Harrison Ogburn, Grant Hayes, and Jordan Hembree scored for the Mavericks.
After three quarters, Powell led 58-42.
As the fourth quarter started the Mavericks started chipping away at the Panther’s lead. Marquise Gallahar’s 3-pointer cut the Anderson County deficit to 60-51. Braden Irwin’s bucket cut the Powell advantage to just seven points at 60-53 with 3:07 remaining in the game.
That was as close as the Mavericks could manage and the Panthers held on for the win.
“Their pressure really got to us in the first half. I don’t know if it was a hangover from Oak Ridge or what, but it was almost like we were playing Oak Ridge again. We couldn’t get any offense going plus we gave up 26 in the first quarter and we’re not going to recover from that. We’re a better defensive team than that. In the second half we adjusted and had a couple of guys step and hit some more shots,” said Wallace.
“Powell, Karns, and Oak Ridge. They are the top of the district until somebody does something about it. I believe we could beat Oak Ridge at home and I believe we could beat Powell at home. Maybe I’m living in a dream,” he said.
Chandler led all scorers with 22 points while Gallahar and Hembree each had 10 points.
The Mavericks open play in the Anderson County Christmas Tournament on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. against Loudon.
AC 13 15 14 17 59
PHS 26 17 15 16 74
AC — Spencer Chandler (22), Marquise Gallahar (10), Jordan Hembree (10), Harrison Ogburn (7), Braden Irwin (5), Grant Hayes (5)
Powell — Caleb Tripp (18), Riley Bryant (13), Desmond Billingsley (12), Westin Reynolds (9), Joshua Woods (7), Bruce Chapman (7), Jonah Miller (5), Cole Frost (3)