Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PORTSMOUTH — The Wendy’s Classic features the hot and juicy burger. For the South Point Pointers, it was hot and cold basketball.
The Pointers started each half cold but then got hot in the next quarter as they beat the Lucasville Valley Indians 59-44.
“It was a big game for us. We came out a little flat, then got control and finished them off. We shot the ball better and we played better team ball,” said Pointers’ coach Travis Wise.
South Point (2-3) was led by Chase Gunther with 23 points and Austin Webb had 17 points and three assists.
Roger Staggs had nine rebounds and Nakyan Turner seven rebounds and four steals for South Point.
Kayden Mollett and Tanner Cunningham scored 11 points each for the Indians.
Valley took a 13-8 first quarter lead but Webb scored eight points in the second quarter as the Pointers rallied to take a 27-18 lead at the half.
The Indians came out the third quarter and outscored the Pointers 19-15 to get within 42-37. Gunther scored nine points in the quarter to keep the Pointers in front.
South Point then blitzed the Indians 17-7 in the fourth quarter to get the win.
The Pointers host South Webster on Saturday.
Lucasville 13 5 19 7 = 44
South Point 8 19 15 17 = 59
LUCASVILLE VALLEY (NA): Andrew Shope 3 0 2-2 8, Tyler Mitchell 2 1-1 5, Kayden Mollett 3 1 2-3 11, Tanner Cunningham 2 2 1-1 11, Mason Zaler 2 0 1-2 5, Chase Clark 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 14 4 7-9 44. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.
SOUTH POINT (2-3): Chase Gunther 8 2 1-2 23, Nakyan Turner 3 0 2-4 8, Roger Staggs 2 0 0-0 4, Austin Webb 7 0 3-5 17, Brody Blackwell 2 1 0-0 7, Marcus Malone 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 6-11 59. Assists: 9 (Webb 3). Steals: 9 (Turner 4). Turnovers: 8. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: Malone.