.jpg)
The Parry McCluer High School boys basketball team earned a 67-56 home win over Pioneer District rival Covington on Tuesday of last week in Buena Vista.
With the win, the Fighting Blues improved to 6-2 in the district. A 67-55 loss to Eastern Mennonite on Saturday in the Rock the Ribbon Roundball Shootout left the Blues at 10-8 overall at the end of last week.
In the first quarter of their home game, the Blues started by gaining an early lead. “We have become more of a transition team, and I really like it,” said PM head coach Tyler Kerr. Many of the early points from the Blues came off transition plays after PM rebounds. The Blues took an 18-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
PM started the second quarter by outscoring Covington 12-5 to extend its lead to 30-19. Evan Cook then made a layup after being fouled.
“Evan was an unbelievable facilitator tonight,” said Kerr. “Evan is always selflessly putting others in a position to score.”
Cook dished out six assists for the Blues in the game and helped PM take a 35-21 lead into halftime. Landon Catlett started the second half by making a layup and free throw for PM.
The Blues quickly added to the score, with John Snider going inside for a layup to extend PM’s lead to 40-21 in the first 30 seconds of the third quarter. Cook, Catlett and Braedyn Houck, continued to add to the Blues’ lead with free throws after successful shots. PM led 52-32 before the Cougars cut the lead to 52-37 by the end of the third quarter.
PM started the fourth quarter with another Catlett layup and continued to control at the beginning. After Cook hit a pair of free throws, the score was locked at 60-43 for three minutes. Snider broke the deadlock with a drive to the basket, but Covington quickly responded with a pair of 3-pointers.
“Covington is a very athletic bunch, and their big three players are tremendous,” said Kerr. “We knew they were gonna be fast and physical, but we defended well and really boxed out for our rebounds.”
Snider led the Blues with 21 points and 15 rebounds, while Catlett added 18 points.
The Blues were scheduled to visit Eastern Montgomery last night, and the varsity team will continue district action at Highland County tonight at 6 p.m. PM will have its final home game of the regular season against Bath County on Tuesday before concluding the regular season at Covington next Thursday, Feb. 9, starting with junior varsity action at 5:30 p.m. on both nights. Before Tuesday’s varsity game, the Blues will honor their two seniors, Snider and Isaac Griffin.
