Owensboro and Owensboro Catholic boys basketball opened its seasons on Tuesday, as the Red Devils topped the Hornets and the Aces fell to the Gators in their respective road matchups.
Owensboro vs. Hancock County
Owning a balanced offensive attack with four different players finishing in double figures, Owensboro earned a 79-60 win to open up the season on the road against Hancock County.
It was a back-and-forth affair in the first quarter, as the two teams traded baskets. The Red Devils got their offense almost exclusively from three, as junior Jalen Rogers hit three from beyond the arc and junior Talas Taylor hit one.
With both offenses having strong quarters, Owensboro and the Hornets went into the second quarter tied at 17-17.
The Red Devils defense was clicking on all cylinders in the second quarter, limiting Hancock County to just 10 points.
Owensboro grabbed 17 in the second quarter, while Rogers grabbed six more points to earn all 15 of his points on the night in the first half.
With Rogers leading the charge of a solid team performance on both ends, the Red Devils went into the second half owning a 36-27 lead.
Hancock County stuck around in the third quarter, hoping to be able to make a comeback down 53-41 going into the final quarter of play.
However, Owensboro exploded offensively in the fourth for 26 points, led by senior Amari Wales who scored 12 of his team-leading 19 points in the quarter. His play helped the Red Devils close out the game strong and give them a 79-60 victory over the Hornets to begin the season.
Along with Wales and Rogers, junior Cayman Powell (13) and sophomore Chris Glover (11) both finished in double figures.
Owensboro opens up the season 1-0 and will return to action when they host Evansville Christian at 7:15 p.m. on Friday.
Owensboro Catholic vs. Greenwood
Struggling to silence Greenwood’s offense throughout the game, Owensboro Catholic couldn’t muster up enough offense of its own and fell 77-52 on the road in its season opener.
The Gators got off to a strong start in the first quarter thanks to 10 points from senior Cade Stinnett, helping them outscore the Aces 22-16.
Junior Parker Gray led the way for Owensboro Catholic in the first, hitting two threes and scoring half of the team’s points.
The Aces weren’t able to expand on their offensive performance in the second quarter, while Stinnett continued to control the game.
He helped Hancock County outscore Owensboro Catholic 23-13, earning 17 of his 25 points on the night in the first half en route to a 45-29 lead going into the second half.
With Gray leading the Aces with 13 points in the first half, the Gators came out of the locker room looking to shut him down.
They were able to do so by keeping him scoreless and limiting Owensboro Catholic to eight points overall in the third quarter.
Up 64-37 going into the fourth quarter, the Aces outscored Hancock County for the first time in the game 15-13 despite hitting just one of their five threes of the game in the quarter.
However, this offensive showing was too little too late as the Gators walked away with a 77-52 win over Owensboro Catholic in front of its home crowd.
Along with Stinett’s offensive showcase, junior Luke Stansbury and senior Aaron Brown both finished with 11 points each.
Gray led the way for the Aces, being the only player to finish in double figures with 17 points on the night.
Now sitting at 0-1 to start the season, Owensboro Catholic will look to bounce back when they hit the road to take on Ohio County at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
