Bernie gets by beleaguered Bell City on the road

Bernie High School sophomore Chase Guiling looks to score against the defense of Bell City High School senior forward Dawson Loomes on Thursday at Bell City High School.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

BELL CITY –Bernie took advantage of a beleaguered Bell City squad on Thursday and came away with an impressive 64-51 road win in varsity boy’s basketball action at Bell City High School.

The Cubs (4-3) were without starting frontcourt players, junior Kale Richardson (high ankle sprain) and senior Baylor Eftink (ankle sprain), and the Mules (3-2) jumped all over that opportunity by knocking down seven of their initial first eight shots.

“What we are doing well,” veteran Bernie coach Jason Long said of his team following the win, “is we are bringing consistency every day.”

Bernie utilized just six players on Thursday, four of whom are only sophomores.

“We are very young,” Long said. “Twelve of our 15 players are freshmen and sophomores.”

That lack of experience didn’t show early, as the Mules raced out to a 25-7 advantage midway through the second quarter.

“They came out and we were kind of just feeling them out,” third-year Bell City coach Luke Bixler said. “They played a zone, and we were passive. To beat a zone, you almost have to be opposite (of the defense).

“You have to drive into the zone.”

After digging a 32-16 hole at halftime, the Cubs were able to find some offensive rhythm, first by taking care of the basketball, and secondly, by lanky junior Logan Pikey knocking down shots.

Entering the final eight minutes, Bell City had narrowed its deficit to single digits (43-35).

“We took care of the basketball,” Bixler said of the turnaround. “We took care of the basketball, and we were able to execute on offense.

“We got some easy, open looks. We were fortunate, once they collapsed their zone, we kicked it out. We had some guys step up and hit some shots.”

Pikey knocked down three 3-pointers during the third period and finished with a team-leading 15 points.

Early in the fourth quarter, Bell City knocked down a basket and trailed by a mere six points (43-37), but the Mules responded with solid play at both ends of the court, including from first-year varsity starter Jon Aycock, who sank eight of his game-high 20 points in the final period to help his team pull away.

“What I like about (Aycock’s) game is that he is always trying to get better,” Long said. “He loves basketball and takes it very seriously.”

Without the strength of Richardson and Eftink along the baseline, Bell City had no answer defensively for Aycock’s length (he’s 6-foot-4) and athleticism on the glass. He continually crashed the boards late and drew fouls.

Aycock got to the free throw line 10 times in the game, but eight in the final minutes, as he hit six of those shots.

“He gives us a really good low-post presence,” Long said. “He has a nice, soft touch.”

Pikey was able to knock down a couple of free throws to pull his team to within 47-41 with just over five minutes left in the game, but the Mules were in control thereafter.

Bernie senior Taven Owens added 15 points while sophomores Hunter Massey (nine points) and Chase Guiling (eight) also contributed.

Bell City got eight points from junior Blake Jarrell and senior Dawson Loomes while junior guards Jake Asher (nine points) and Juan Hernandez (seven) were also productive.

The Cubs are off for the holidays until battling Meadow Heights (1-2) on Dec. 26 in the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

The Mules will face Portageville (2-4) on Dec. 26 at 12:45 p.m. in the opening round of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament.