Hurley, Branom drop 18 each
SULPHUR BLUFF- The Sulphur Bluff Bears hosted Union Hill Friday for their third district game of the season. The Bears entered the game riding a three-game winning streak after beating Paris Home School 55-48 and beating Boles twice by scores of 72-53 and 61-45.
Sulphur Bluff had a very strong first quarter, setting the tone by scoring 20 points in the opening frame. The Bears defense only allowed Union Hill to score six points, giving them a 14-point lead entering the second quarter.
Sulphur Bluff kept the offense going at a high rate, adding another 19 points in the seconds quarter. Union Hill found some offense in the frame, scoring 10 points, but the Bears were able to take a 39-16 lead at the end of the first half.
The offense slowed down a bit for the Bears in the second half, scoring 12 points in the third quarter and 14 points in the fourth quarter. They were still able to outscore Union Hill in each frame, however, and cruised to a 65-38 win.
Montana Hurley and Brandon Branom were the leading scorers for the Bears, finishing with 18 points each. Shane Johnson was right behind them, adding 16 points of his own. Other scorers for Sulphur Bluff were Dewitt Brookins with eight points, Blake Hume with three points and Weston Shamberger with two points.
The win improves the Bears record to 11-7 on the season, and makes them 3-0 in district play. Their other two district wins come against Yantis, back on Dec. 15 when they won 84-34 and against Avinger Dec. 18 when they won 51-49.
Sulphur Bluff will be home again Friday for their homecoming game against Bloomburg. The varsity girls are set to begin at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity boys to follow.