Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

The St. Joseph Flyers’ defense was hooked on the number 11.

The Flyers allowed 11 points in the first and second quarters, and then just 11 total points in the second half as they turned in a strong defensive effort to stun the Raceland Rams 52-33 on Friday.

“That was our best defensive effort of the year. We were constantly in good help position when they penetrated,” said Flyers’ coach Kevin Sheridan.

“We rebounded it well, too. It was a physical game, but we were the aggressor. We defended their pick and roll offense pretty well and we were able to contest their shots.”

The Flyers’ offense was able to match the defensive effort. St. Joseph shot 61 percent from the field.

Tyler Ward scored 24 points to pace the offense. Tre Neal had 11 points and Chase Walters added 10 points.

Ward alao had nine rebounds including eight on the defensive end. Clay Willis grabbed six rebounds with five off the defensive glass.

Rylie Potter had 10 points for Raceland (9-12).

Ward scored eight points as St. Joseph a 14-11 first quarter lead. Noah Braden had five points for the Rams.

Ward hit a trifecta and scored seven points in the second quarter as the Flyers (3-11) extended their lead to 31-22 at the break. Walters and Neal added four points each.

With the defense holding Raceland to six points in the third quarter, Ward hit a trey as he scored seven points and the lead ballooned to 44-28.

Walters had six points in the fourth quarter to outscore the Rams himself and seal the Flyers’ upset win.

The Flyers host Rock Hill on Tuesday.

Raceland 11 11 6 5 = 33

St. Joseph 14 17 13 8 = 52

RACELAND (9-12): Damon Black 0 0 0-0 0, Noah Braden 2 0 1-3 5, Landon Adams 1 0 0-0 2, Carson Christian 2 0 0-0 4, Austin Clark 2 0 0-0 4, Trey Mills 0 0 -0 0, Tyler Morris 3 0 0-0 6, Rylie Potter 4 0 2-4 10, Travis Weaver 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 15 0 3-7 33. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

SAINT JOSEPH (3-11): Judge Williams 0 0 0-0 0, Isaac Whaley 1 0 0-0 2, Clay Willis 1 0 0-1 2, Tyler Ward 8 2 2-6 24, Chase Walters 5 0 0-0 10, Zac McGraw 1 0 1-2 3, Tre Neal 3 1 2-3 11, Seth Kelley 0 0 0-0 0, Isaac Walker 0 0 0-0 0, Daniel Hodges 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 3 5-12 52. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.