Shorthanded HVA boys 3-0 at LC Christmas Classic
LENIOR CITY — Missing two of his best players during Lenoir City Christmas Classic at LCHS, Hardin Valley Academy still managed to go unbeaten in three games, which ended with a dominant 83-57 victory against Carter Thursday afternoon, Dec. 30.
Saying his team can go “14 or 15 deep,” head coach Shane Wells added, “We’re not all great, but we’re all even.”
Without senior starting post Dale Henley and senior starting wing Hudson Stokes due to injuries, the Hawks (8-4 starting the week) led 22-13 after one quarter and 38-27 at halftime before Wells’ boys zoomed ahead 63-36 after three quarters.
“I think we’re a deep team, and I think that’s one of the hard things that we have to overcome — (depth) is a great thing, but it’s also a curse,” Wells said. “Trying to figure out whose playing and who’s not; who’s earned it.”
Nick Liakonis, HVA senior guard, scored a game-high 19 points, one of 12 Hawks to tally in this game. “Nick is a really good player; he’s a great shooter,” Wells said.
Freshman Barron Scheetz scored 10, while junior Hunter Frey and senior Jaelyn Pannell each scoring seven. Junior Hakeem Rashid and Riley Gladwin had six points apiece.
As a team, “We’ve shot it really well the last two days,” the coach said of an 87-57 victory against Maryville Christian School 87-57 Wednesday, Dec. 29.
Four Hardin Valley double-digit scorers against MCS were led by Pannell’s 14 points, followed by Rashid with 13 and Jack Smith and Ben Brophy scoring 11 apiece.
Opening Classic action Tuesday, Dec. 28, Hardin Valley got a last-second lay-up from Smith to edge host LCHS in a dramatic 50-49 win Tuesday, Dec. 28. Smith had a team-high 12 points for the winners, followed by Liakonis scoring 11 and Pannell nine.
The Panthers were led by Kobe Franklin’s game-high 19 points.
