CullmanTimes.com - Cullman, Alabama

Local Sports

Discussion

January 10, 2009

Boys prep basketball: WINNING UGLY

Eagles gut out win over Cold Springs

By Justin Graves

VINEMONT — Missed shots, turnovers and high frustrations. It was that kind of night for Vinemont High’s boys basketball.

But Saturday wasn’t all bad for the host Eagles. They did manage a 45-38 win over what’s turned out to be a very pesky Cold Springs team.

“That’s just what Cold Springs does to you,” Vinemont coach Bobby Meyer said. “They do a good job of making you play their pace, their style of basketball.

“We’re just not a very patient basketball team. We rushed too many shots and turned the ball over too many times because of risky passes. That’s what happens when you do things like that.”

Vinemont may not have played a flawless game, but Meyer’s team did lead most of the contest — just not by very much.

After carrying a four-point lead into halftime, Vinemont finally started to distance itself from Cold Springs in the third quarter. Josh Wyenandt opened the half with a pair of putbacks, giving the host Eagles a 10-point cushion.

Cold Springs battled back in the fourth period, thanks to the play of Dillon Cordes.

Cordes cut the lead to four after a field goal and a free throw. But on the next possession, Brock Meherg did the exact same thing for Vinemont.

Vinemont tightened up on the defensive end in the final minutes, closing out the game with a 9-4 run.

Wyenandt led Vinemont with 12 while Tyler Creel added 11. J.J. Smith tossed in nine for the host Eagles, who host Good Hope on Tuesday in a key Class 3A, Area 12 showdown.

Cordes led Cold Springs with 10 while T.J. Aby added eight. The Eagles travel to Falkville for a Class 2A, Area 13 matchup.



Varsity Girls

‰ Cold Springs 77, Vinemont 26: Paige Parker was on fire.

The Cold Springs senior torched Vinemont in the first half, scoring 22 of her game-high 25 points in the first 16 minutes of regulation.

It was a good night for Parker to play well. After all, a represenative from NAIA powerhouse Union College — a perennial national title contender that is currently ranked No. 1 in the country — had traveled from Jackson, Tenn., just to watch her play.

Sparked by Parker’s 22 points, Cold Springs appeared to be unstoppable in the first half — holding Vinemont to only four points during the first two periods.

“It wasn’t pretty,” Vinemont coach Lance Lay said. “(Cold Springs) shot for over 70 percent. They almost never missed.

“After the first half, we talked about not quitting. That’s all I asked the players to do, and they came out and played hard in the second half. I’m proud of them for doing that.”

Georgia Myrex followed Parker with 13 points, while Kayla Johnson added 10.

Sydney Whittle led Vinemont with seven points.

Text Only
Local Sports