TURNER — Two early runs helped Spruce Mountain to a 67-43 Class B South boys basketball victory over Leavitt on Thursday.
Cai Dougher had 16 points to lead the Phoenix (3-1). Jace Bessey had 13 and Dylan Jewett chipped in with 10.
“A lot of teams are going to focus on Jace, and to their peril. We are more than Jace,” Spruce Mountain coach Scott Bessey said. “We have a lot of guys that can shoot and play. The more teams wanting to do some box-and-1 and stuff. Austin Armandi got to step up. Austin and Dylan have to step up, and Ian (York) has to step up because they are going to have room.”
Dougher said the Phoenix’ best offensive weapon was their defense.
“Defense really. We play good defense and force turnovers — that’s the best offense for us,” Dougher said.
Colin Schlobohm led all scorers with 17 points for the Hornets (2-4).
Leavitt coach Michael Hathaway said the Phoenix did everything right and the Hornets couldn’t get anything going.
“Spruce is a good club,” Hathaway said in a text message after the game. “They have shooting, play great defense and are well coached. Right now that’s pretty much the opposite of us. We were not well coached tonight, didn’t shoot well and our defense needs a lot of work. We have a long way to go to play with teams like them.”
The Phoenix used a series of runs to build a lead in the first quarter. Bessey tallied four points and Dougher delivered a bucket to give the Phoenix an early 6-0 lead before Mason Henderson got the Hornets on the board.
Spruce Mountain used the 3-point shot to build an 18-4 lead. Bessey hit two 3s while York and Dylan Jewett each had one in that stretch.
“Bessey, Dougher and York are top line players,” Hathaway said. “As expected, they controlled the tempo with their pressure. Too many turnovers for us. Our inexperience showed (tonight) big time.”
Scott Bessey said the Phoenix are small and shooting will be the key to their success.
“That’s going to be us all season long,” Scott Bessey said. “We are going to try to push the ball and not hesitate. Everybody has the green light, if you are open, shoot it. We aren’t going to get a lot of paint buckets — unless we are in transition, because we are so small. We can shoot it for sure.”
A bucket by Owen Kelvey gave the Phoenix a 20-4 advantage after one quarter.
The Phoenix remained hot behind the 3-point arch in the second quarter. Caden Frazier, Jewett and Kelvey each had one.
Jewett finished the period with five points after he dropped in a 2-point bucket, while Armandi found the score sheet as the Phoenix lead increased to 33-8 at halftime.
“I think they had eight points in the first half, so we defended really, really well,” Scott Bessey said. “We didn’t give them any second-chance points, which is huge for us because we are so small.”
Henderson dropped in two points for Leavitt in the second quarter while Zach Wallingford and Trent Holst hit a free throw each.
Dougher paced the Phoenix in the third quarter, scoring nine points, including a thunderous dunk off a steal.
“I got the ball and had no one ahead of me, so I said I have to jam this one in,” Dougher said.
Armandi scored seven points and had nine for the game.
Shots and free throws started to go in for the Hornets in the third. But Spruce Mountain led 60-26 going into the fourth quarter.
Both teams played bench players for most of the fourth quarter.
“I think we got a little tired towards the end of the game,” Scott Bessey said. “Our season so far hasn’t been one of very good rhythm. I don’t think we are in great shape yet because of our disruptive basketball season for us. We haven’t gotten any rhythm with the schedule yet. It showed. Our legs went in the second half and we made a lot of mistakes in the second half.”
Schlobohm picked up 13 of his 17 points in the final quarter for Leavitt.
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