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February 10, 2012

PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: Cullman to face Brewer for title after defeating Warriors

By Russell Moore The Cullman Times

HARTSELLE —

It didn’t matter if it was Cullman’s Houston Turner in the paint or Lawson Schaffer or Jordan Vass from behind the 3-point arc.

The Bearcats’ offensive attack was right on cue Friday night, rolling to an 85-63 victory over county-rival West Point at Hartselle’s Pettey Center in the Class 5A, Area 13 tournament.

Schaffer poured in 21 points off the bench, Turner scored 11 of his 15 points in the first half and Vass added 14 behind four 3’s as Cullman produced a season-high offensive output at the most appropriate time.

“We hit a lot of shots early and executed our early sets,” Cullman coach Bobby Meyer said. “We hit some high percentage shots and were able to knock down some early 3’s. It was one of those offensive nights you like to have, and you have to come out with that sense of urgency in a game like this one where you go home if you lose.”

The Bearcats (18-9) advanced to play Brewer, a 64-62 overtime winner over Hartselle, for Monday’s area championship, beginning at 7 p.m. at Hartselle. No matter Monday’s outcome, Cullman is guaranteed a sub-region berth.

On Friday, the Bearcats scooted out to a 17-5 lead less than five minutes into the game after a 3-pointer from Vass. Schaffer later added the final four points of the period, handing Cullman a 24-12 advantage after the first.

The Bearcats stayed hot in the second quarter. Vass, Schaffer and Richard Donaldson each hit 3-pointers less than two minutes into the period ,and a Shaffer steal and subsequent lay-up extended the cushion to 39-19 with 4:49 remaining before half.

The Bearcats didn’t need much of an offensive boost off the bench, but Schaffer cooperated anyway, nailing three 3-pointers, a handful of reverse lay-ups and playing stingy defense.

“You love to have that spark,” Meyer said. “You’ve got to have guys come in and take it to another level. Lawson did a good job of that tonight. We had other guys step up as well and get him good shots.

Schaffer added, “It’s a great feeling knowing I can come out and do that for my teammates and coaching staff and get us a win like that.”

Cullman led 50-21 at intermission, receiving scoring contributions from 10 different players.

The Bearcats easily closed out the victory in the second half, leading 65-43 after the third.

Brian Murphy added eight points to Cullman’s attack, and Troy Forrest had seven.

For West Point, Nick Vandergrift and Nick Nuss had 10 points apiece, Colby Roberts chipped in with eight points and Josh Looney and Wesley Smith each added seven.

West Point closed the season at 16-14, highlighted by a Cullman County Tournament championship last month, its first since 2005.

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