Sardis, Hokes Bluff open tournament with wins

SARDIS CITY - The Sardis boys jumped out to a 17-4 first-quarter lead over Gaston on the way to a 66-34 win Monday in the first round of the Etowah County basketball tournament.

Setting the tone early was a goal for the Lions (7-10).

“We wanted to pressure them and see if we could get some turnovers to get some easy buckets,” Sardis coach Van Owens said. “Score a good bit to get our guys going and put pressure on them to have to fight back the rest of the game.”

When not forcing turnovers, Sardis was getting it done in the paint offensively. All but three of the Lions’ points were layups in the first period. Some of those came off Bulldog turnovers, while others came by dumping the ball inside the paint to Jacob Hopper or Dalton Garmon.

“Our height advantage has been a major factor because me and Garmon both are bigger than most everybody we’ve played so far,” Hopper, who scored a game-high 17 points, said.

The Bulldogs (1-18) were outscored by just one in the second quarter, but still trailed 32-18 at halftime.

Sardis outscored Gaston 16-14 in the third and took a 48-32 lead into the final eight minutes.

The Lions stretched their lead in the fourth as they held the Bulldogs to just two points.

Sardis advances to play top-seeded Hokes Bluff at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the semifinals. The two have met twice this season with the Eagles coming out with a win both times.

“I’m looking forward to playing them again,” Hopper said. “I think it’s good competition.”

Chase Williams scored 12 points for Sardis while Braxton Brooks added 10 points. Anthony James tallied nine points. 

Nick Lewis paced Gaston with 10 points. Garrison Hunt added eight points.

GIRLS

Hokes Bluff 62, Gaston 25

The Eagles started strong and never looked back against the Bulldogs to advance to the semifinals of the Etowah County tournament.

Hokes Bluff will play No. 1 seed Southside at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday at Sardis in the semifinals. The two have met twice this season with each picking up a win.

The Eagles (11-10) led Gaston (3-13) 16-4 through one quarter, 37-10 at halftime and 49-17 heading into the fourth.

Kristen Shields scored a game-high 13 points for Hokes Bluff. Maddie Smith added 11 points. Madison Wolfe chipped in nine points while Madison Ingram totaled eight points.

Sidney Oliver led Gaston with 10 points.