Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — The St. Joseph Flyers’ offense was rusty. Imagine what happens when they sharpen their shooting eye.
Despite an inconsistent offensive performance, the Flyers still produced a 61-43 win over the Rock Hill Redmen on Monday.
“Neither one of us was very sharp. You could tell we haven’t played for 10 days,” said Flyers’ coach Chris Barnes. “But we needed to play this game and we need the next two games with the tournament coming up.”
Ryan Payne scored 20 points to lead four players in double figures for the Flyers (14-5). Jackson Rowe scored 13 points, Zach Roach had 11 and J.C. Damron added 10 points.
Rock Hill (3-17) was led by Braden Stamper with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Brayden Malone added 8 points and 6 rebounds.
Garrett Miler hit a 3-pointer and scored 5 points while Braden Stamper and Owen Hankins had 4 each as Rock Hill took a 13-10 first quarter lead.
Payne scored 5 points and Roach hit a 3-pointer for the Flyers.
St. Joseph got its offense on track in the second quarter by outscoring Rock Hill 23-10 to go up 33-23 at intermission.
Roach had another 3-pointer and scored 7 points, Jimmy Mahlmeister had a trifecta and both he and Payne scored 5 points each.
Malone had 6 of his points in the second quarter.
The Flyers were up 45-34 when Rowe got a steal that he turned into a 3-point play and a 48-34 lead. Owen Hankins made two foul shots for Rock Hill to get within 48-36 to end the quarter.
Payne scored 6 points, Rowe 5 and Damron 4 in the quarter for the Flyers. Stamper had 7 points in the quarter for Rock Hill.
Jared Johnson, Roach and Malmeister made free throws and Payne sank 2-of-4 at the line as St. Joseph opened up a 57-36 lead midway through the quarter.
Malone and Roach traded baskets before Stamper drained a 3-pointer and it was 59-43.
Both teams emptied their benches for the final minute and a half.
UP NEXT: The Flyers entertain River Valley on Wednesday. Rock Hill goes to Gallipolis on Friday and host Fairland on Saturday.
St. Joseph 10 23 15 13 = 61
Rock Hill 13 10 13 7 = 43
ST. JOSEPH (14-5): Jackson Rowe 4 1 2-3 13, Will Whaley 0 0 0-0 0, Matthew Sheridan 0 0 0-0 0, Zach Roach 2 2 1-2 11, Bryce Balestra 0 0 0-0 0, Ryan Payne 8 0 4-7 20, J.C. Damron 4 0 2-2 10, Jared Johnson 0 0 1-2 1, Michael Mahlmeister 0 0 0-0 0, Jimmy Mahlmeister 1 1 1-2 6. Totals: 19 4 11-18 61. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.
ROCK HILL (3-17): Noah Doddridge 0 0 0-0 0, Garrett Miller 2 1 0-0 7, Brayden Adams 1 0 0-0 2, Deven Long 0 0 0-0 0, Victor Day 0 0 0-0 0, Nick Blankenship 2 0 0-0 4, Braden Stamper 4 1 3-6 14, Owen Hankins 3 2-4 8, Brayden Malone 4 0 0-0 8, Hunter Blagg 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Schwab 0 0 0-0 0, Caleb Murphy 0 0 0-0 0, Lane Smith 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18-46 5-10 43. 3-pt goals: 2-14. Rebounds: 11-O, 25-D = 36 (Stamper 11, Adams 7, Malone 6). Assists: 4 (Blankenship 2). Steals: 5 (Adams 2, Smith 2). Turnovers: 13. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Hankins.