Game Report: Linton-Stockton 77, Terre Haute South 52

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was back in the gym on Tuesday night after taking the weekend off as I visited Terre Haute South as they hosted the #1 team in 2A, Linton-Stockton. The Miners came in at 18-1 on the season with their lone loss coming to Cooper in Kentucky. They are also coming in with four consecutive wins by over 30 points. They are led by UCF commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='868240' first='Joey' last='Hart']</strong> who is the #4 player in the state of Indiana. Terre Haute South comes in at 12-8, but they are trending in the right direction as they have won three in a row to snap a four-game losing streak. The Braves are led by their guard duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295369' first='Nas' last='McNeal']</strong> (2023) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1384405' first='Zayvion' last='Baker']</strong> (2024).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first quarter, Linton-Stockton came out hot as senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935736' first='Logan' last='Webb']</strong> knocked down a pair of triples in the first minute of the game. The Braves would get a couple of buckets inside, but the Miners would get a triple from Hart and a smooth finish at the rim by Webb to extend the early lead to 9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560992' first='Paul' last='Oliver']</strong> would then add five straight for the Miners to extend the lead to 11. Linton-Stockton led 20-11 after one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second half, the Braves were able to get it back to four points thanks to a pair of catch and shoot triples from the volleyball line for Baker. The Miners were taking more tough shots rather than moving the ball around. Terre Haute South continued forcing the Miners into mistakes, and some silly fouls put the Braves at the line. The Braves would tie the game on a baseline jumper from McNeal with 2 minutes left in the half. Then, Webb and McNeal would each hit a triple to tie the game at 30 at the half. Webb led all scorers with 14, and Hart added 10. For South, Baker and <strong>Treva Branch</strong> lead the way with 8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linton came out of the locker room on fire with a triple from <strong>Nathan Frady</strong> and a fastbreak bucket from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='868240' first='Joey' last='Hart']</strong> for a quick 5-point lead. South would answer with a couple of buckets from Branch to get it back to 1. The Miners then answered with a 9-2 run, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1384405' first='Zayvion' last='Baker']</strong> answered a couple of smooth finger rolls on the other end. He is incredibly shifty and seems to just glide to the rim. It seemed like the Braves were just seconds away from getting it back to one possession. However, they just couldn't take advantage. The Miners would lead 52-42 after three quarters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miners exploded to a 8-2 run to start the fourth and lead by 16. Hart and Webb each hit triples, and Hart finished in transition after a steal. The Miners would cruise to the finish line with the big lead and win it 77-52.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935736' first='Logan' last='Webb']</strong> led Linton-Stockton with 30 points and 5 assists. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='868240' first='Joey' last='Hart']</strong> added 26 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560992' first='Paul' last='Oliver']</strong> added 6 points and 9 rebounds, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158180' first='Braden' last='Walters']</strong> added 6 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds. <strong>Treva Branch</strong> led all scorers for Terre Haute South with 15. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1384405' first='Zayvion' last='Baker']</strong> has added 13 points and 4 assists, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295369' first='Nas' last='McNeal']</strong> added 7 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linton-Stockton improves to 19-1 on the season with the win. The Miners will return to the floor next Thursday as they travel to Illinois against Robinson. Terre Haute South drops to 12-9 with the loss. The Braves will return to the court on Friday night as they travel to the other side of Terre Haute to West Vigo. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->