Panthers pull away in 2nd half

By Staff
Mike Self, FCT Sports Editor
PHIL CAMPBELL – Mars Hill used stifling defense and a big second half on offense to pull away from Phil Campbell for an 80-37 win in Thursday's area showdown.
The Panthers opened the game on a 9-0 run, but seven first-half points from Chase Hutcheson and six from Caleb Thompson helped Phil Campbell (6-5, 1-3 Class 2A, Area 16) hang around.
The Bobcats trailed by just five at 26-21 after a basket by Tanner Maddox midway through the second quarter, but Mars Hill tightened the screws on defense and closed the half on a 6-0 run.
The Panthers then started the second half the same way they began the game, with a 9-0 run. A pair of free throws by Mitchell Barnes made it 40-21 early in the third quarter.
Maddox broke a string of 15 unanswered points by Mars Hill with a three-pointer, but the Panthers ended up out-scoring Phil Campbell 26-7 in the third quarter to open up a 30-point lead.
All told, Mars Hill out-scored the Bobcats 48-16 in the second half.
Barnes finished with 16 points to lead the Panthers, and Garrett Turner added 13.
Thompson finished with 10 points to lead Phil Campbell. Hutcheson added nine, and Maddox had eight.
In other action:
Varsity girls
Mars Hill 45 Phil Campbell 17
The Lady Bobcats (6-7, 2-2 Class 2A, Area 16) managed just two field goals in the second half of Thursday's area loss.
Mars Hill scored the game's first nine points and led 17-6 after one quarter.
Caitlin Stancil scored for Phil Campbell to open the second quarter, but the Lady Panthers went on an 11-0 run to open up a 28-8 lead. They led 33-12 at the half and then out-scored the Lady Bobcats 8-1 in the third quarter.
Stancil led Phil Campbell with six points.
Sarah Bailey led Mars Hill with 10 points.
B-Team boys
Phil Campbell 50 Mars Hill 29
Adam Mitchell had 11 points and Korey Pounders added 10 for the Bobcats in Thursday's win.
Pablo Santiago had eight points, and Corey Casas and Josh Waid each added six.