Mike Reece (10) goes up for a shot as Keyton Keene (11) tries for the block. | Photo Credit: Preston Ball Photography | For the Lebanon News
LEBANON — With three kids transferring from Honaker to Lebanon and one going the other way, a rivalry game was perhaps more intense. A huge, energetic crowd was on hand Friday at Charles C. Long Gymnasium as Honaker earned a quality 62-51 road victory over the Pioneers.
“From halfway through the first quarter to halftime, I thought we played really well,” said Honaker coach Waylon Hart. “Overall, I didn’t think we played a good game. I thought we were very sloppy in the second half. We had some turnovers and blown defensive assignments. We can play a lot better than we did, but I’m very thankful to get the win. With the week we’ve had coming off only five practices, with trips to Union, Abingdon, and Lebanon, I’m pleased. But we have a lot of work to do.”
There was weight on Lebanon transfer 6-foot-8 Keyton Keene, but he handled the pressure-packed situation well and had a good performance for the Tigers.
“I just told Keyton, I didn’t know he could talk so much,” Hart said. “He communicated with me and his teammates. I’ve been around the kid a long time, even though he’s been at another school. I’m seeing him grow, he’s taking more of a leadership role. His energy level is increasing too, he’s growing by leaps and bounds.”
Keene totaled 17 points to pace Honaker.
“This feels great,” stated Keene. “It was an incredible environment, I’m lucky and blessed.
“The nerves were bothering me a little at first, but once I started playing they just went away. I just try to keep everything out of my head and just play.”
Keene didn’t score in the first quarter. Chance Parker came off the bench early to give the Pioneers a spark, with a layup, a 3-pointer from the wing, and a transition bucket to put Lebanon up 13-12.
That’s when Honaker’s big men came into play. Six-foot-4 post Peyton Musick had a foul shot and scored back-to-back baskets in the paint to give the Tigers a 17-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The four-point lead went to double digits when Keene exploded in the second quarter. Keene hit a jumper, a couple of free throws, and a stick-back to energize Honaker. Lebanon went over six minutes at the end of the second quarter with the only point, a foul shot from Caden Boyd. The Tigers lead ballooned to 37-19 at intermission.
“We had a terrible second quarter, and that’s not the first time,” Lebanon coach Scotty Boyd said. “We’ve had some bad quarters in our other games. I think they outscored us 20-6, so we dug a hole that was hard to get out of.”
Led by Parker, Lebanon tried to battle back in the third quarter.
“Chance Parker gave us a huge lift,” said Boyd. “He’s just now getting back healthy. Chance missed over a week with a sprained ankle. Our kids fought hard, I can’t fault their effort.”
To start the second half, Andy Lambert and Parker nailed 3s to cut the lead to 12. Each time the Pioneers would make a run, Honaker had an answer. Jaylon Hart followed with a couple of treys for the Tigers to put the lead back at 18.
“I’m hard on Jaylon, but he’s hard on me too, with some of the things he does,” Coach Hart said. “But there is no one around here that puts more time in this game than he does. He lives in a gym and loves the game. It’s been a journey to get him to this point, but he puts countless hours in. I was tickled to death for him to knock those shots down.”
Another unsung hero for Honaker was Sean Gill, who made some key shots at important times.
“When these kids were seventh and eighth graders, Sean was by far the best player,” said Hart. “He suffered some injuries along the line and lost a little bit of interest. He rededicated himself this summer, he got in the gym, and I couldn’t be happier for a kid. He hit some big shots, handled the ball, defended, a great night for him.”
Parker led the Pioneers with 19 points. Lebanon struggled to get the ball in the hole, they were 15-of-56 from the floor, making only 26.8 percent of their shots.
In addition to Keene, Gill (12 points), Peyton Musick (11), and Aidan Lowe (10) were also in double figures for the winners.
GIRLS
Kalli Miler (11) goes around a screen by Kate Jessee (00). | Photo Credit: Keith Ray | For the Lebanon News
It was a clean sweep for Honaker as the girls won the opener in impressive fashion, defeating rebuilding Lebanon 65-11.
“The girls played well,” said Honaker coach Misty Miller. “We shot extremely well. We just want to keep working hard every day and going in the right direction.”
The Tigers were up 14-2 after eight minutes of play and expanded the lead to 35-4 at the break as they cruised to the victory.
“Every day in practice, we talk about how defense is the thing we need to focus on,” said standout Alayna McNulty. “If we have good defense, everything else will flow. I think everyone was focused on this game, it’s Lebanon, and they are big rivals.”
McNulty poured in 18 points, with nine rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Tailor Nolley added 14 points and seven steals. Kate Jessee (eight points, 11 boards), Carey Keene (six points, four boards, four steals), Kalli Miller (six points, five boards, eight assists, four steals) also played well in the win.
Chloe Couch (seven points) and Lia Beck (four points) scored for the Pioneers.
“I thought we handled the press okay,” Lebanon coach Rex Parker said. “It’s tough to get a shot against Honaker, they are so long and athletic. We missed some easy ones early when we couldn’t score, then we got a little tired.”