sports@southwesttimes.com
PULASKI – The Pulaski Middle School basketball teams took time before their games on Monday to honor their departing eighth graders in their final home game against Blacksburg. When all was said and done though, the Titans earned a sweep over both of the Orioles squads.
The boy’s game was close all the way through three quarters. To start the fourth, Pulaski would score six straight points to open the quarter, four from Tyler Blevins, and it looked as if the Orioles were headed for another victory on the season.
However, the Titans would charge back and score six straight of their own. They would also play strong defense, as Pulaski was scoreless in the last few possessions. Blacksburg held on for the tough 33-32 victory.
Blevins led Pulaski in scoring with 13 points. Lonnie Mattox added eight points and Alex Simmons scored six points for the Orioles.
“It’s been a fun group to work with,” said Orioles coach Daniel Goff. “They practiced and played hard and I hope to watch them next year as they join the Cougars.”
The Lady Orioles were also unsuccessful in their bid for a win against Blacksburg Middle. The Titans would start the game on 13-0 run and the Oriole offense struggled to score against a tough Blacksburg defense.
Blacksburg would extend their lead in each of the first three quarters. A 14 point first quarter lead would swell to 18 at halftime and 20 at the end of the third in route to a 44-25 Titans win.
Shuby Shumate scored 11 points for Pulaski. Erin Hamric and Kennedi Hart both scored four points, and Ericka Nash had three points.
Lady Orioles coach Teresa Taylor declined comment on the game, but took the time to reflect on her group of eighth graders.
“They are such a good group both on the court and off the court,” Taylor said. “I couldn’t ask for a better group. They work hard together and take care of each other. They are very cohesive. I think that says a lot about us. I know what happens out here is fun and they enjoy it, but what happens off the court is going to take them through the rest of their life and some of the skills they’ve learned here too. They are going to be doing really well at high school. I look forward to going and watching them play because there is a lot of talent here. They are going to be greatly missed.”
One final test remains for the Orioles in their season. They travel on Wednesday to play Dublin for the third and final time this year. The boy’s have split their two games with Pulaski winning the first game, 51-26, and Dublin taking a close second contest, 41-39.
The Dublin girl’s have won both meetings with Pulaski this season, opening with a 50-25 win over Pulaski in their tournament. The Dukes also won a close game on the road, 35-23, on Dec. 17.
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