January 17, 2011

By Mark Sawyer

BERRYVILLE- Coaches are always trying to find something to spark their teams to play better, or maybe find that one game that will motivate the team and turn the season around.

A triple-overtime victory could be the kind of game to bring the team together. But a triple-overtime loss could send a team in the opposite direction.

Just one week after the James Wood and Clarke County High School boys' basketball teams played an epic triple-overtime thriller at James Wood the two teams got together in Berryville for the rematch.

And as could be expected the two teams have been heading in different directions since the first meeting, however, not like one would think.

Following the heartbreaking four-point loss to the Colonels last Saturday night, Clarke has won two straight and moved into a first place tie in the Bull Run District. The Colonels have dropped two straight and find themselves at the bottom of the Northwestern District standings. Clarke left nothing to chance in the rematch Saturday night, scoring the first 11 points of the game and building a 16-point first half lead before cruising to an easy 55-37 non-district win over the Colonels at Clarke County High School.

"Early in the year we struggled shooting the ball, but we've been better the last few games," Clarke County coach Brent Emmart said. "It all came together tonight. Our trap totally took them out of their game. Turnovers were the difference in the game. Our defense took them out of their offense."

"I keep telling the guys what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger, and our schedule strength has made us stronger. Our hard work is starting to pay off."

Clarke County (9-5) never trailed in the contest and got plenty of offense in the first quarter but most of it came from senior Grant Shaw. Shaw was one of four Eagles in double figures, scoring all 10 of his points in the first frame. He got the scoring underway with a steal and a coast-to-coast layup.

During the 11-0 run to start the game, four different Eagles scored, and senior Ron Anderson capped the run with a short jumper with 4:05 left in the first.

James Wood (3-10) finally got on the board when freshman Ryland Williams knocked down a 3-pointer with 3:48 showing on the clock.

Shaw answered that with six-straight points, first on a long range 3-pointer followed by an old fashion 3-point play. His free throw gave the Eagles a 17-3 advantage.

The Colonels were able to trim a few points off the lead and cut the deficit to 21-10 at the end of the first period.

Clarke scored the first five points of the second quarter to extend the lead to 16 points and outscored the Colonels 12-7 in the period for a 33-17 halftime advantage.

"We were not mentally ready to play," James Wood coach Al Smith said. "We were extremely flat, and we couldn't recover after the first quarter."

Wood committed 17 turnovers (12 in the first half) and missed 40 shots - and several from close range. Add in the fact that they were only able to convert 1-of-10 free throw attempts and the result was an 18-point defeat and a three-game losing streak.

Ethan Emmart led the Eagles with a game high 15 points. Anderson and Stephen Bodkin added 13 and 11 respectively.

"Overall I can't complain about the guys," Brent Emmart said. "Each game is one more step towards our three goals ... a district championship, regional championship, and get into the state tournament."