James Wood boys roll past Clarke County

By JIM LAISE SPECIAL TO THE WINCHESTER STAR

BERRYVILLE — This early in the season James Wood High School boys’ basketball coach Tim Wygant likes to grade his team on quarters, not games.

But no matter how you count it, the Colonels are 2-0 after knocking off Clarke County 53-39 on Thursday before a good crowd at the Eagles’ nest.

“This time of year we like to break it down in quarters and for that, I think we’re seven for eight,” Wygant said.

On Wednesday, the Colonels went on the road and dominated the second half in routing Park View 66-32. James Wood outscored the Patriots in the second half.

On Thursday, the Colonels played their best ball in the first three quarters, opening a 49-23 lead. The Eagles (0-2) battled in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Colonels 16-4, but by then the damage had been done.

“Credit Clarke County because they battled there in the fourth quarter,” Wygant said. “In fact they battled the whole way.”

“Those kids we had in there at the end did some good, but I’ve got to coach us better,” Clarke County coach Brent Emmart said. “We’ve got to do better against the zone, and that’s my responsibility.”

The Colonels had no trouble with their outside shooting, nailing eight 3-points. Daniel Jaquis and Colby McDaniel each sank three.

“We’re not a 3-point shooting team per se,” Wygant said. “But we move the ball and if the shot is in the flow, they know they have the green light to shoot it. In fact, maybe we could have tried a couple of more.”

The Colonels got off to a fast start, leading 17-8 after one quarter. The Eagles closed to within 19-13 in the second period when James Wood went on a run.

Trey Evans started off the outburst with a lay-in at 5:48 until the half and then Ben Smith, just brought up from the junior varsity, nailed a shot. After Clarke missed two free throws, the Colonels got the ball back and McDaniel drilled a 3-pointer to make it 26-13.

Though the Eagles got the Colonels’ lead to 11, the James Wood went on another barrage for a 36-18 halftime advantage.

The Colonels continued to pour it on in the third quarter pushing the lead to 26 entering the final period.

After the Eagles got it to 51-35 with 3:14 left, Emmart subbed out his regulars. Stephen Clapp, Trae Lambert, Cam Broy, Timothy Compher and Dalton Crandall finished out the game.

James Wood put three players in double figures. Sophomore Daniel Jaquis had a game-high 13 points, followed by Cam Firebaugh with 12 and Colby McDaniel with 10.

“We have some kids who can shoot it,” said Wygant. “Daniel Jaquis and Colby McDaniel can fill it up. We encourage it as long as it’s within the limits of the offense.”

Billy Holsinger II and Colby Childs scored 10 each to lead the Eagles.