By Greg Morse (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Joplin picked up a dominant 72-39 conference win over rival Carthage on Friday.
Both teams started out hot, going basket-for-basket, but Joplin would throw down a 9-3 run to get some early separation. Junior Evan Guillory led the charge with nine first-quarter points on his way to a 23-point night.
“I did what I do every game, and just try to play to the best of my ability and try to get the win,” said Guillory.
The Eagles would head into the second quarter with a 16-10 thanks to a shot by Guillory at the buzzer.
“I heard my teammates counting down, and I just caught the ball, squared up, and took the shot.”
Tiger junior Marcus Huntley led his team with five points in the first, as they tried to play catchup going into the second quarter where he hit a three-pointer. Even with points from sophomore Morgan Frisinger and junior Alex Martini, the Carthage couldn’t keep up as the Eagles went on another 10-2 run to start the quarter. Carthage was able to score six-straight down the stretch, to keep the game within distance. The Eagles led 33-20 going into halftime.
“Carthage did a really good job early on getting us into transition, which we usually excel at,” said Eagles head coach Jeff Hafer, “We had a little lull in the second quarter, but had a great push to get the lead to 13 at the end of the second quarter.”
Joplin came out of the locker room hot again, going on a 12-5 run led by Guillory. The junior had a quiet second quarter but mimicked his first quarter success by posting 10 points in the third frame, including going 4-for-5 from the line.
Carthage’s junior Alex Martini kept pace with Guillory, scoring seven points for the Tigers.
“Martini is a tough matchup. To hold him to nine points, especially with all the rebounds he had, we did a great job,” said Coach Hafer.
Hafer also noted that his team was able to spread the ball around, something Guillory also agreed with.
“When we work as a team, we are a way better offense. Our main focus in the second half was to keep moving the ball,” said Guillory.’
The Eagles did do a good job of spreading the ball around, with junior Zach Westmoreland scoring nine points in the third quarter as well, and 15 points on the night. Junior Isaiah Davis also had a big night, scoring 12 points and hauling in a bevy of rebounds.
After an impressive 30-point third quarter, the Eagles entered the fourth leading 63-33 on the way to a 72-39 win.
“That second half was probably the best we’ve played collectively together all season. They really shared it, enjoyed playing together. They guarded hard, they looked for one another offensively. I’m happy for them, they deserve that with the work we’ve been putting in this season,” said Hafer.
