By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

BIDWELL — For the South Point Pointers, change is good.

The Pointers have made some position changes that have helped the offense and it was evident again Tuesday in a 65-62 Ohio Valley Conference win over the River Valley Raiders.

“We moved Brandon to the point a few games ago and that’s helped open up shots for everyone,” said Pointers’ coach Chris Barnes. “We’re shooting the ball really well right now.”

Brandon Barnes led the Pointers with 23 points — he hit five 3-pointers — along with 6 assists. Austin Jeffreys also had five triples and scored 19 points while Kurt Adams scored 10 points.

Josh Payne pulled down 12 rebounds.

“Kurt’s shooting well. That’s three straight games he’s been in double figures,” said coach Barnes.

Austin Lewis had 21 points and Ethan Dovnbarger 16 for the Raiders (3-15, 0-10).

Jeffreys had 8 points in the first quarter as South Point took a 20-8 lead and it was 32-18 at the half.

Brandon Barnes and Jeffreys scored 7 points each in the third quarter as the lead went to 49-33.

Jeffreys fouled out early in the fourth quarter but Barnes scored 8 points to seal the win.

The Pointers led by as many as 20 points. The Raiders hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to set the final score and it was the closest they got the entire game.

“This has always been a difficult place for us to play. I’ve never had a lead early in the game here. Usually we have to come from behind at the end,” said coach Barnes.

The Pointers play Rock Hill at 7 p.m. on Monday in the Division III sectional tournament at Jackson.

South Point 20 12 17 16 = 65

River Valley 8 10 15 29 = 62

SOUTH POINT (10-10, 5-5): Austin Jeffreys 1 5 2-6 19, John Johnson 0 0 1-3 1, Tre Campbell 1 0 2-4 4, Austin Majher 0 0 0-0 0, Josh Payne 4 0 0-4 8, Brandon Barnes 2 5 4-7 23, Kurt Adams 0 3 1-2 10, Brandon Boggs 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 8 13 10-26 65. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Jeffreys.

RIVER VALLEY (3-16, 0-10): Austin Whobrey 0 0 0-0 0, Derek Filnt 1 1 4-4 9, Kyle Bays 1 0 0-0 2, Chris Clemente 0 0 0-0 0, Trey Noble 0 1 4-6 7, Aaron Harrison 1 1 2-2 7, Austin Lewis 10 0 1-1 21, Ethan Dovenbarger 6 0 4-8 16, Aaron Rupe 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 3 15-21 62. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: Dovenbarger.