By MARK MAYNARD / The Independent
ASHLAND — Ashland’s offense was average and the free throw shooting was foul.
But a little defense goes a long way.
The Tomcats held Bath County to nine points in the first half and went on to a 60-39 victory Saturday night at Anderson gym.
“I was pleased with our defense to hold them to 39,” said Ashland coach Buddy Biggs. “I was a little disappointed with our outside shooting and obviously our free throw shooting (16 of 27).”
Ashland’s defense zeroed in on Taylor Maze, limiting the high-scoring senior to only four points and six shot attempts. Bobby Lyons, the Wildcats’ second-leading scorer, was held to eight points.
“Obviously he was our No. 1 target in our defensive meeting,” Biggs said of defending Maze. “We did a good job on Lyons too.”
Bath County coach Jim Hicks complimented Ashland’s defensive effort.
“When Taylor Maze and Bobby Lyons are scoreless at halftime, we’re in trouble,” he said.
Ashland led only 10-7 after a sluggish first quarter but outscored the Wildcats 17-2 in the second quarter to built a 27-9 halftime lead.
“I’m frustrated because we’re better than that,” Hicks said. “Ashland had a lot to do with the way we played.”
The Wildcats have had a taste of the 64th District this week. Bath County played Fairview earlier in the week, losing a 60-58 decision in the All “A” Classic in Sandy Hook.
“Fairview is the most talented team in the region and Ashland is the hardest-playing team in the region,” Hicks said.
Bath County came out in zone and stayed in that defense all night.
Ashland’s Dylan Delaney shot a pedestrian 5-of-15 from the field, but four of those were 3-point bombs. He finished with 20 points.
“He’s been in a shooting slump but he came out of it a little tonight,” Biggs said. “He was six of six from the (foul) line. He was the only one hitting them.”
The Tomcats (15-3) led by 19 points after three quarters but Bath County trimmed it to 46-34 and had the ball. Brad Stump’s shot was tipped away and Ashland’s Cody Withrow completed a three-point trip after a nifty pass from Will Skaggs.
Skaggs finished with nine points, seven rebounds and five assists. Withrow also had nine points.
Stump led Bath County (8-7) with 10 points while Lyons and Cody House had eight apiece.
Biggs said he wasn’t surprised the Wildcats stayed back in the zone.
“They did the same thing against Rowan County (Thursday night) so we were prepared for it,” he said. “We knew what we were going to see.”
Ashland has a busy week ahead on the road with games at East Carter (Tuesday), state-ranked Clark County (Friday) and Fairview (Saturday).
MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.
