CullmanTimes.com, Cullman, Alabama

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January 27, 2009

MAGIC NUMBER

By Justin Graves

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  • Vinemont's Anthony Pace slides down while trying to get a steal from Fairview's Larson Howse during junior varsity action Tuesday night at the county basketball tournament. Amanda Shavers-Davis

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  • Holly Pond's Haley Bagwell gets knocked off her feet by Fairview's Kacie Mangum during Varisty girl's action Tuesday night at the Cullman County Basketball Tournament. Amanda Shavers-Davis

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  • Holly Pond's Nick Boulahanis, right, gets tripped up driving to the basket by Good Hope's Taylor Hollis during varisty boy's action Tuesday night at the Cullman County Basketball Tournament. Amanda Shavers-Davis

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HANCEVILLE — Scott Adams can scratch one goal off the list. Twenty wins are now in the books.

The Holly Pond High girls coach saw his team reach the plateau Tuesday night with a 51-36 win over Fairview in the quarterfinals of the Cullman County tournament.

Now the Broncos have set their sights on goal number two: A spot in the county championship game.

“Winning 20 games is something our team has been shooting for,” said Adams, whose Broncos play Good Hope in the semifinals Thursday. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a 20-win season, so getting there was special for our girls.

“But we don’t want to stop at 20. There’s a few other goals we want to reach, like playing in the county championship game.”

Reaching the county title game will require a little revenge from Holly Pond. Two of the Broncos’ eight losses were to Good Hope this season.

“I can already tell you, that’s going to be another tough game,” Adams said. “We’ve got nothing but respect for Good Hope’s players. Coach (Michael) Oldacre and (Scottie) Cofer have done a great job this year.

“We already know that our hands are going to be full Thursday. There’s no doubt about it.”

Holly Pond may have won by 15, but the Broncos didn’t have much breathing room until the fourth period. Fairview just wouldn’t go away.

With the help of several turnovers, Fairview managed to stay within 10 points in the first half. That changed late in the third period when Haley Terry and Cydney Morris led the Broncos on an 8-3 run.

Terry made a layup early in the fourth period to give Holly Pond a 15-point lead — the Broncos’ largest cushion of the night.

Jazz Foust and Courtney Strong cut the lead to 46-35 with back-to-back baskets, but that was the closest Fairview would get. Terry closed out the game with five consecutive points.

Terry led all scorers with 19 points, with 11 coming in the second half.

“Haley did a good job tonight,” Adams said. “When she drives to the basket, she can make that runner consistently. She’s done that all season.

“But what I’m most pleased with is the points she scored from the free-throw line. If Haley’s shooting free throws, she’s going to the basket strong. And if she’s doing that, I’m happy.”

Holly Pond gradually pulled away in the second half. But in the first half, the Broncos were doing their best to fight off a pesky Fairview team off.

Using a balanced offensive attack, Fairview was able to keep pace in the first half — with the Aggies getting big baskets from Strong, Foust and Alysha Smith.

Strong led Fairview with nine points and Foust added eight. Smith and Kayla Schnittker tossed in six points each.

“I’m going to tell you something, Fairview has played us tough this year,” Adams said. “They aren’t a bad basketball team. That team has given us fits this year.”

‰ Justin Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 257 or by e-mail at jgraves@cullmantimes.com.

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