NEVC teams reach championship game

Friday, October 31, 2014
Matt Resnick/Daily Mail/ Northeast Vernon County Knights power forward Blane Jones (35) drives hard to the basket, as Hume Hornets forward Braden Berry (23) trails him. Jones led his team to 38-35 victory over the Hornets Wednesday night, coming through with a game-high 20 points. The victory advances the Knights to the Golden Valley Vernon County Conference championship game, where they will square off against the Sheldon Panthers. Berry nearly matched Jones effort, scoring a team-high 17 points.

Nevada Daily Mail

BRONAUGH -- A 20 point performance from star forward Blane Jones lifted the Northeast Vernon County Knights to a 38-35 victory over the Hume Hornets, Wednesday night in the Golden Valley Vernon County Conference boys junior high semifinal game.

With the win the Knights (10-5) move on to play the Sheldon Panthers in the title matchup at Bronaugh High School, 7 p.m., Saturday.

Matt Resnick/ Daily Mail/ Northeast Vernon County Lady Knights combo guard Hannah Rogers (24), drives the lane, as Hume players Braelynn Morrison (35) and Jaylyn Rogers attempt to get over in time to impede her path. Lady Knights guard Makinsey Conner finished with a game-high 15 points, while eighth-grade forward Kelly Dade chipped in with 12 points, and a big night on the defensive glass in the Lady Knights 28-14 victory. The Knights, who only won three games in 2013, will have an opportunity to reach double-digit wins when they face the Montrose Bluejays in the GVVCC championship game, Saturday. Montrose is led by the talented Abby Vogel.

In other GVVCC action Wednesday, the NEVC Lady Knights (9-3) knocked off the Hume Hornets 28-14 to reach the championship game, where they will face the Montrose Bluejays at 6 p.m., Saturday.

Montrose is led by one of the top players in the conference, seventh-grade sharpshooter Abby Vogel. Vogel's clutch 3-pointer in overtime, propelled the Blujays to a 34-29 victory in their semifinal matchup against the Bronaugh Wildcats, Wednesday night.

NEVC vs Hume

The Knights jumped out to a 9-6 lead late in the first quarter after Jones bulldozed his way down the middle of the lane, laying the ball in.

Early in the second quarter, Knights point guard Jaxon Prough slashed hard from the wing for a tough basket, putting NEVC up 11-6. On the Knights following possession, Jones was fed the ball in the low post, and scored from close range while drawing heavy contact and a whistle. Jones made the free throw, giving the Knights a 14-6 lead.

Later in the second quarter, Jones' coast-to-coast layup extended the Knights lead to 16-8. Behind Jones' 11 points, NEVC led 22-13 at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Hornets erased a 9-point deficit, as point guard Braden Berry, who finished with a team-high 17 points, began to warm up. With under a minute to play in the quarter, Berry drilled a 3-pointer to slice NEVC's lead to 26-23. Berry added a layup and free throw to tie the game 26-26 heading into the final frame.

To open up the fourth, NEVC regained the lead as Jones converted on a physical drive to the basket, but twisted his ankle on the play. Jones briefly came out before reentering the game.

With 3:27 remaining in the game, a beautifully designed inbounds play to Jones handed the Knights a 33-29 lead. Hume answered right back, as guard Kolby Steuk's jump shot cut the lead to 33-31.

Hume took a 34-33 lead when Berry drained a long 3-pointer. Knights forward Logan Conner hit a short jumper putting the Knights back up 35-34.

After Hume failed to score, Jones took an outlet pass and found guard James Rickey who was left wide open on the right wing. Rickey's feathery jumper swished through the net giving the Knights a 37-34 lead, and one they would not relinquish. NEVC coach Brian Pommier called Rickey's bucket, the biggest play of the game.

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