Minford pulls away from stubborn Redmen

Published 3:19 am Wednesday, February 18, 2009

So many games, too few days.

Because of postponements due to the weather, the Rock Hill Redmen are in the midst of an NBA schedule.

Three games in four days last week and three more in four days this week have the Redmen weary. But they found a spark Tuesday night before losing 70-56 to the Minford Falcons.

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Rock Hill trailed by just two points at halftime before struggling in the third quarter.

“We competed tonight. We had a lot of energy,” said Rock Hill coach Adam Simpson. “It’s been a tough stretch but we need to get the games in before the tournament next week.”

Brandon Klaiber scored 16 points and Sammy Cooke 13 for the Redmen (5-13).

Sean Smith scored 24points and Corey McKnight 12 for the Falcons (13-7).

Smith had eight points and Hugh Brisker four as Minford took a 16-10 first quarter lead.

Cooke scored nine points while Jeremy Blagg and Klaiber had four each and Rock Hill closed to within 32-30 at the half.

But Minford opened up a 55-42 lead after three quarters as Smith scored seven points and McKnight and Caleb Cowgill six each.

Klaiber had six points and Ryan Albright hit a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter for the Redmen, but Smith and Zach Gahm combined for eight points as Minford held its lead.

Rock Hill hosts Fairland on Wednesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Rock Hill 10 20 12 14 = 56

Minford 16 16 23 15 = 70

ROCK HILL (5-13): Jeremy Blagg 4 0 0-0 8, Luke Simpson 1 0 0-0 2, Brandon Klaiber 8 0 0-0 16, Ryan Albright 0 1 0-0 3, Devin Darby 0 0 1-3 1, Herbie Butterbaugh 0 1 0-0 3, Adam Fradd 1 0 0-0 2, Dustin Chandler 4 0 0-1 8, Sammy Cooke 6 0 1-1 13. Totals: 24 2 2-6 56. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: None.

MINFORD (12-7): Evan Price 3 0 1-2 7, Corey McKnight 6 0 0-0 12, Sean Smith 7 3 1-1 24, Aaron Oesch 0 1 0-0 3, Zach Gahm 1 0 2-2 4, Jordan Duncan 0 0 0-0 0, Mark Slone 0 0 4-4 4, Caleb Cowgill 4 0 0-1 8, Taylor Smith 1 0 2-4 4, Hugh Brisker 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 24 4 10-15 70. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.