By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News
The first of two meetings between Stanhope Elmore and Wetumpka took place Saturday night in Wetumpka. The Mustangs led by double digits by the end of the 1st quarter, and never led by less than five points for the remainder of the night, cruising to a 73-61 victory.
The 12-point victory came despite Senior Dylon Williams picking up 3 fouls with two minutes remaining in the 1st quarter and missing the entire 2nd quarter of play. Williams started off hot, hitting two 3 pointers and adding two free throws to notch eight early points. Guard Dillon Barnes also had a hot hand for the Mustangs, hitting two 3 pointers and scoring 10 points total in the 1st period. Barnes final shot of the quarter put the Mustangs up 23-13 heading into the 2nd quarter.
The hot shooting continued in the 2nd quarter, as Josiah Scott hit the 5th 3 pointer of the first half for the Mustangs, pushing the Stanhope Elmore lead to 30-15. Despite the parade of impressive shots, guard Pat Williams made two of the most impressive, and crowd pleasing, plays of the game on two impressive dribble drives to the goal. On the first instance, Williams used impressive speed and ball handling to get to the goal, and then finished with an outstanding layup. Wetumpka took the ball and tried a similar drive to the goal, but Mustang defender Sami Kochi took a charge, much to the delight of the Stanhope Elmore crowd in attendance. Late in the 2nd quarter, with the Mustangs leading by 10, a Wetumpka defender clapped at the opportunity to guard Williams as he brought the ball up court. Williams promptly blew by the Indian defender and finished with an impressive layup over two of Wetumpka’s biggest players that moved over to try and block the shot. The Mustangs went to half up 43-31.
Wetumpka was able to cut the lead to 45-40 early in the 2nd quarter, but Scott came up with another timely shot, connecting on a 3-pointer. On the next possession, Scott got an offensive rebound and put it back on the glass for an easy basket. Just like that, Scott had five quick points, and the Mustangs lead went from 5 back to 10 points. Wetumpka was able to hit a 3-pointer as time expired in the 3rd quarter, but they still trailed Stanhope Elmore 60-50.
The 4th quarter was mostly even\ and was punctuated by another 3-pointer from Scott, his third 3 point shot of the night. The Indians never posed a serious threat, and the Mustangs came away with the area win 73-61.
For the game, the Mustangs finished with four different players scoring in double figures. Barnes had 24 points and 7 rebounds for the Mustangs. Scott had 18 points and 6 rebounds. Williams had 13 points and 3 rebounds, and Williams had 12 points and 3 rebounds.
The Mustangs overall record improves to 10-5. Their area record improves to 1-1. They will finish out area play next week, traveling to Alexander City on Tuesday night to take on Benjamin Russell, and hosting Wetumpka again next Saturday night in Millbrook.
