Hornets Sting Tigers

By Clint Cox


The Cottondale Hornets used a second half surge last Friday night to pull off a 68-58 win over the visiting Malone Tigers in boy’s basketball action. Marcus Humose had the hot hand for the Hornets as he pumped in 30 points in the win. That point total includes going 10-14 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter and 14-19 from the free throw line on the evening.

Malone took the early lead on the night as they got balanced scoring from their starters and held a slim 13-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Malone’s T.J. Smith showed he could shoot free throws as well by making six from the charity strip in the second quarter. Cottondale stayed close though as Humose hit 12 first half points to help the Hornets trail by only one point, 27-26, at the half.

Humose hit a quick basket to start the second half, giving Cottondale the lead and setting the tone for the final two quarters. The Hornets outscored the Tigers 7-0 in the first 3 ½ minutes of the third quarter to take a 34-27 lead. Smith finally made a layup for Malone to end their scoring drought and the Tigers pulled to within two points of the Hornets with three minutes to play in the third quarter. Drew Bellamy made a basket and a free throw though to push the Hornet lead back to five points. Malone stayed close with a 3 pointer from Marceil Clemmons but Humose hit a bank shot at the end of the third quarter to put Cottondale up 44-39.

The fourth quarter saw Malone take a brief lead as Ladarius McElroy hit a 3 pointer and then hit a 2 pointer after a Tiger steal. Malone led 47-46 with 6 ½ minutes to play in the game. From that point however Cottondale went on a surge, starting with a basket and free throw by Tristin White. Leading 49-47 the Hornets then went on a 12-3 run to push their lead to 61-50 with just under two minutes left to play. Malone cut it to a 62-55 game on a basket and free throw by Ty Baker but Cottondale then knocked down 7 free throws to seal the victory.

Cottondale, which improved to 1-1 on the young season, also got 11 points from Bellamy. The Hornets were scheduled to play at South Walton on Tuesday night. Malone, which fell to 1-1, was led by Smith with 16 points and McElroy with 10 points. The Tigers were scheduled to play in Altha on Tuesday night. Results of the Tuesday night games were not available at press time.