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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
There are scoring runs, and then there are scoring avalanches like those that Dora can pull off.
The Falcons put on a scoring clinic – 3s, transition layups and everything in between – in an 86-58 victory over Lakeland at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Basketball Classics in Bolivar on Saturday.
Huge scoring outputs are nothing new for the Class 1 Falcons (17-1 overall), who are averaging nearly 80 points per game this season.
It all starts with Dora’s defense, said head coach Rick Luna.
“When we do stuff right and get out in transition, we can score a bunch in a hurry,” he said. “Our defense usually turns to quick offense with this group.”
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Dora point guard Isaac Haney, who recently announced his verbal commitment to play at Missouri State, poured in 42 points.
Three other Falcons scored nine or more.
“We know any time we can get in transition and get the ball moving, we’re pretty good,” said Haney, a junior. “We didn’t like how stagnant we were in the half-court; that’s something we have to work on.
“But as a team, the way we move the ball, that’s how you put up those big (scoring) numbers.”
Dora, ranked No. 1 in the state coaches’ poll for Class 1, fell behind 7-2 barely one minute into the game. The deficit did not last long.
The Falcons ripped off an 18-1 run over the next three minutes. Shortly after a three-point play by Haney, Dora finished the first quarter with a 35-14 lead.
Haney had 15 points in the first quarter and 21 by halftime. He made five of Dora’s 11 3-pointers.
“When we have Isaac, it’s pretty easy to do it,” Dora’s Mason Luna said of the scoring runs. “We just give him the ball and he can shoot it and fill it up really fast.”
Dora’s lead swelled to 54-23 by halftime.
“You always have to punch back,” Haney said. “And that’s a big thing for us: Making sure any time a team pushes us, we push back.
“Because when push comes to shove, we think that our best is going to be better than anyone else’s best.”
Dora’s opponent, Lakeland, was no pushover. The Vikings (14-2 overall) moved up to Class 2 this season after reaching the Class 1 quarterfinals last season.
Rafe Kalberloh scored 21 to lead the Vikings.
Dora competes in the Mountain Grove Family Pharmacy Panther Classic next week. The Falcons could meet Class 2 state title contender Hartville in the finals.
Hartville also hosts Dora on Feb. 7. The Falcons beat Hartville at home in overtime last season.
Dora ended up 30-2 overall last season after losing to Jefferson (Conception) in the Class 1 state title game.
The Falcons have used that loss as motivation.
“It was a good season, but we didn’t finish it off right,” Mason Luna said. “We want to finish it off right this time.”
Dora 86, Lakeland 58
Dora 35 19 13 19 – 86
Lakeland 14 9 18 17 — 58
Dora (17-1 overall) – Isaac Haney 42, Bryson Luna 15, Mason Luna 12, Waylon Masters 9, Austin Luna 5, Tyler Luna 3
Lakeland (14-2 overall)) – Rafe Kalberloh 21, Corbin Meeker 13, Jace Uchtman 7, Garrett Strange 5, Blake Munsterman 4, Gavin Wilkins 4, Aden Malloy 2, Caleb Singleton 2
