LAUREL HILL — Defending boys Class 1A state champion Malone took on Laurel Hill School in a District 1-1A game Tuesday night.
The Tigers trailed early and played catch up most of the night. But when the eye of the tiger arrived the Hoboes were in trouble.
Antwain Johnson scored 16 of his game-high 27 points in the fourth quarter to lead Malone to a 69-60 over the Hoboes.
Laurel Hill-Malone boys basketball photos>>>
“They (the Tigers) are so quick,” Laurel Hill Coach Kent Zessin said. “I thought they shot the ball a lot better in the second half. I thought Antwain Johnson he just kind of took over and showed his maturity there.
“They are a tough team. I thought we were going to have a shot to get them. We played our game plan most of the game, but ultimately it was our turnovers that cost us.”
But before Johnson caught fire it was Laurel Hill post player Max Smith flexing his muscle as the Hoboes took the lead early in the first quarter. Smith did most of his work from close range powering his way to the basket for tough scores.
Smith scored 10 points in the first quarter and hit the final shot of the period at the buzzer as the Hoboes raced to a 21-14 lead at the end of the period.
Malone was able to keep things close thanks to deadly shooting from long range.
The Tigers hit four 3-point baskets in the first quarter and two more in the second quarter to keep the game close.
Smith cooled off in the second quarter but Bryson Cooper and Tee Calloway picked up the slack and Laurel Hill was up 32-26 at the half.
Malone picked up the defensive pressure in the third quarter and Johnson caught fire as the Tigers turned the tables on Laurel Hill.
The Tigers took their first lead of the game with 2:31 left in the third quarter when Jarnell Dillard hit a 3-pointer to put Malone up 37-36.
A pair of Cooper free throws put the Hoboes back in front, but Laurel Hill couldn’t hold off the hard-charging Tigers.
A 3-point play by Johnson with 5:10 left in the fourth quarter put Malone in front for good.
Smith was joined in double figures for the Hoboes by Cooper with 14 points and Calloway with 12 points.
Chancellor Lockett scored 14 points for Malone and Dillard had 13.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hoboes unable to tame Tigers (PHOTOS, VIDEO)