Buccaneers patiently lash past Wildcats

GLADEVILLE — Using a patient offense, Beech pulled away from Wilson Central in the third quarter Friday night to a 67-54 District 9-AAA victory which wasn't even that close.
The Buccaneers used a 25-10 third quarter to widen a 23-16 halftime lead to 48-26 going into the fourth as they won their district opener and improved to 5-3 for the season.
"They did a good job of getting us out of rhythm," Central coach Troy Bond said after his Wildcats fell to 4-3, 0-2. "The first 2 1/2 quarters, we got outhustled and got outplayed. We're still making some crucial mental mistakes."
Beech used a 1-3-1 zone to help force 14 Wildcat turnovers.
Michael Shackleford tossed in 23 points and Payton Townley 21, including a pair of first-quarter three-pointers for Beech. Guard Ben Crocker fired in 15.
Teraes Clemmons came off the Wildcat bench to toss in a pair of threes as he and Kody Woodard each scored 11 as Central whittled into the lead in the fourth, but never got back within striking distance.
"We just did not have enough in the tank mentally to finish the game out," said Bond, who also praised the play of Kelten Stewart and JaJuan Brooks.
Center Travis Adkins added eight points for Central while Stewart scored six, Daniel Palmer five, Jarvis Jenkins four, Brooks three and Arcavius McMurray, Ethan Duke and Preston Jenkins two each.
Adkins' layup gave Central a 2-0 lead in the opening minute.
Beech didn't take a shot until almost three minutes had elapsed. But Townley sank a three on the Bucs' first flick of the wrist.
Woodard's pullup jumper put the Wildcats back in front 9-7 with just over two minutes left in the first quarter. But Crocker converted a 2-on-1 fastbreak basket off a steal to tie the score and Townley sank another three at the buzzer to put Beech up 12-9 at the quarter break and the Bucs never trailed again.
Central will host Stratford in a boys-only game at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Sports Editor Andy Reed can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 17 or by e-mail at andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com.