GDW Analysis:
WEST POINT: A Cullman County semifinal from the West Point Christmas Classic would not transpire due to the Corner Yellow Jackets.
Corner met Holly Pond in the finale Thursday at Jim Boyd Gymnasium. The victor would see host West Point as a semifinal encounter Friday evening.
After a first half shootout, Corner had an advantage of scoring in the 3rd period that would pay the way for a 76 to 60 victory.
The first half was the best of the four games to open the event. Corner led 23 to 19 when the first ended and held a 41 to 35 edge when the game reached halftime.
Holly Pond, who shot well in the opening half, struggled with only a three by Carson Ryan, a FG from Fox Westall and two FTs by Cade Allbright for its scoring tally.
Corner delivered five shots in the period, three from long distance and took a 54 to 42 lead to the 4th.
Tim Willoughby's Broncos shot better in the final period with 6 FGs.
Corner was steady as well, scoring half a dozen to keep the lead into double digits.
The Jackets ended the Broncos' 2 game winning streak, sending Holly Pond to a consolation bracket game Friday at 4:30 vs. East Lawrence.
Corner and West Point do battle in the semifinal at 7:30 p.m. The Yellow Jackets are 3 & 1 vs. the Cullman County school system with wins from the Hanceville Thanksgiving Tournament over Cold Springs and Hanceville. They lost in the title game on Thanksgiving Eve to the Good Hope Raiders 63 to 59.
Talan Laird led Nathan Sanders' Jackets with 31 points, scoring 22 in the opening half.
Cohen Drake rose to the occasion with 4 FGs coming in the 4th for the Jackets.
For Holly Pond, Sawyer Olinger ripped the cords for 16, Carson Ryan and Allbright hit 11, Fox Westall scored 9 and Ty Dunn with 8.
The first period combined for 42 points scoring with the final period being 22 for Corner and 18 for Holly Pond.
Photo of Holly Pond's Sawyer Olinger in the HP Thanksgiving Tournament November 25.
Photo courtesy of Martha Needham.
