Cornell’s only basket boosts Titans

University junior guard CJ Cornell stepped off the bench and into the limelight.

Almost immediately after re-entering the basketball game Friday evening at North Central, Cornell buried a 3-pointer for a 54-53 lead. The Titans (2-0) made their final 14 points from the free-throw line for a 68-58 non-league victory.

It was Cornell’s only basket, but it was opportune. The teams had jockeyed back and forth for much of the second half before the shot and U-Hi thereafter went from struggling free-throw shooters to spot-on.

“It was designed,” U-Hi coach Garrick Phillips said of Cornell’s basket. “We subbed for a shooter and it was hard for them to handle four (on the perimeter) at the same time.”

Caleb Martin came off the bench in the first half to score seven points and U-Hi jumped to a 20-6 lead. He finished the night with 14 points.

“Caleb is a game-changer,” Phillips said. “He runs the floor so well.”

The Indians couldn’t hang onto the ball early, then roared back behind subs Zac Hill, Ed Richardson and Aaron Antoine to go up 24-21 during a stretch when pressure got to U-Hi.

“Right now I could start the bench as easily as the starters and we wouldn’t drop off a bit,” NC coach Jay Webber said.

U-Hi’s Kyle Bailey, scoreless at the half, found his baseline jump-shooting touch for 10 points.

The Antoines, Aaron and Isaiah, brought NC back for its last lead with 2:14 left before U-Hi responded.

Cornell connected, Spencer Drury made 9 of 10 free throws, including three on a foul and technical with 19 seconds left, and Tony Tabish made two more a second later.

Webber said the Indians (0-3) are not shooting well, playing defense and turning the ball over too much. “If you don’t do those three things you’re not going to win,” Webber said.

Mead 55, Mt. Spokane 45: District rivals waged a taut battle, but the visiting Panthers (2-0), leading by two points, pulled away in the final four minutes. Aaron Dunn and Brendon Myers led a balanced effort. Hunter Hahn scored 18 for the Wildcats (0-4).

Lewis and Clark 68, East Valley 53: Leading by a basket at the half, the Tigers (1-1) pressed for easy baskets on a 15-2 run to end the third quarter and pull away from the Knights (0-3). Austin Ehlo’s 23 points included 4 for 7 on 3-pointers. Levi Taylor had 17 for Lewis and Clark.

Central Valley 61, Rogers 48: The junior-dominated Bears (3-0) had four players in double figures to remain perfect, scoring 39 points in the first half.