MUSTANGS USE FIRST HALF RALLY TO STOP SPARTANS, 53-44

12-0 Run Keys Win

Goshen, KY - North Oldham used a 12-0 first half run and some stingy man-to-man defense to ease past the Lexington Sayre Spartans on Saturday afternoon, 53-44.

The Mustangs looked lethargic early. Due to a damaged support cable on one of the goals in the North Oldham High School gym, the game had suddenly been moved to the North Oldham Middle School gym next door. Whether it was the change in setting, the mid-afternoon tip time, or just the snowy weather, the Mustangs didn't seem to have their game legs under them throughout most of the first period. With just over a minute to play in the first, North found itself trailing, 12-9, and after watching the visitors from the Eleventh Region score on a number of uncontested backdoor layups, NOHS coach Gene Heffington had seen enough.

Heffington pulled all five starters from the floor and substituted five reserves and got immediate results. Greg Mayes and Corbin Skelton scored on back-to-back baskets to give NOHS the lead - for good, as it turned out - at 13-12 as the first period came to a close.

The starters returned to start the second period, and they came back to the court with a mission. Danny Walcott started the scoring with a putback and the Mustangs didn't let up on the gas until they had put the finishing touches on a 12-0 run. Matt Spencer's basket capped the run forged a 21-12 lead for NOHS with just over two minutes to play in the half.

Sayre ended a seven minute drought with a three pointer from Doug Arnold with 2:13 to play until halftime that cut the margin to six at 21-15, but Walcott answered with a three of his own. The Spartans would never get closer than seven points the rest of the way.

A Walcott layup gave NOHS its biggest lead of the half at 28-17, before North settled for a 28-20 halftime score.

Despite a significant height advantage, Sayre was never able to exploit their size in the paint. With only one starter over six feet - junior center Scott Merrick at 6'2 - the Mustangs were still able to be successful with a man-to-man defense against the likes of Alex McIntyre (6'4), Bush Gess (6'2), Doug Arnold (6'3), and Will Bowman (6'5). North repeatedly stepped into the passing lanes to intercept interior passes, and their quick outlet passes often led to layups at the other end. In fact, of fourteen first-half field goals, the Mustangs scored four on layups.

The Mustang defense, which allowed just eight second period points, duplicated the feat in the third period. With Kevin Allen (6 points), Matt Spencer (6 points), and Walcott (4 points) hitting a combined seven of thirteen in the period, North pulled away in the final two minutes of the frame to push out to their largest lead of the night at 44-28 heading into the final period.

But after hitting fourteen of 29 shots in the second and third periods, the Mustangs went cold in the fourth. Midway through the period, Sayre had crawled back into contention. A basket by Will Campbell capped a 9-2 Spartan run that pulled the visitors to within nine at 46-37. Nearly two minutes later, Sayre was still within striking distance at 48-39 when Matt Spencer all but wrapped things up for NOHS.

Spencer hit one of two free throws, then scored on a layup to push the lead back to double digits at 51-39 with just over a minute remaining. Sayre coach Gene Kirk began substituting freely, but the Sayre subs kept the final minute exciting. Employing a 2-1-2 full court press, the Spartans forced two turnovers, and scored five quick points on a basket by David Nelson and a three by Michael Russell. With 38 seconds left, a flicker of hope remained for Sayre, who trailed by just three scores.

Sixteen seconds later, however, Walcott finally slammed the door of opportunity shut with a runner in the lane that accounted for the final score at 53-44.

North Oldham improves to 12-8 on the season and now goes on the road to play Kentucky Country Day. Sayre falls to 6-11 on the season.

SPORTSZONE AM 1600 upcoming broadcasts:

TUESDAY - 2/10/04 - South Oldham vs. Woodford County 7:25 PM broadcast time.

FRIDAY - 2/13/04 - NORTH OLDHAM boys & girls at Bullitt Central - Sportszone will air both games LIVE from Shepherdsville, KY, beginning at 6:06 PM.