A strong defensive and offensive push over the first nine minutes of the game put the Halifax County High School varsity boys basketball team on the path to a runaway 72-49 win over Patrick County High School Tuesday night at Halifax County High School.

Tuesday nights win in the Piedmont District contest gave the undefeated Comets their 12th straight win and improved their record in Piedmont District play to 5-0.

The Comets, using a stifling pressure defense to trigger their offensive opportunities, took the lead on a basket from Kameron Roberts with 4:11 left in the first quarter. Roberts basket kicked off a run of 22 unanswered points by the Comets that produced a 26-4 lead in the first minute of the second quarter. Patrick County High School never recovered.

We came out of the gate really well defensively, holding them (Patrick County High School) to four points in the first quarter, which allowed a lot of guys to get playing time, said Comets head coach Sterling Williams.

The first five guys really came out with a lot of intensity and a lot of fire, and the lead opened up real quick. We were able to cruise the rest of the way.

Halifax County High School had nine players to score, with four of them reaching double figures. Kevon Ferrell led the Comets with 13 points, all of them coming in the first half. Jaden Waller and Isaiah Hubbard followed with 11 points each, and Roberts finished the night with 10 points.

Davon Jennings was next in line with seven points, Keshawn Wells and William Davis pitched in five points each, Adam Palmer scored three points, and Drew Russell scored two points.

It was a good team win, a good game to get everybody involved, Williams pointed out.

It was good for Isaiah Hubbard, who was our second-leading scorer. We had four guys in double figures, and a bunch of guys coming off of the bench scoring. It was a good night.

Halifax County High Schools 22-0 run early in the first half included a trio of 3-point baskets and a free throw from Ferrell, two baskets from Jennings, a basket and two free throws from Waller, and a basket each from Roberts and Wells.

The Comets led 46-23 at halftime, held the same 23-point edge at the end of the third quarter with a 60-37 score, and led by a game-high margin of 28 points when Russell drained a shot with 4:34 left in the game.

Halifax County High School had its best night of shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. The Comets sank 11 of 31 attempts from 3-point land, with Ferrell hitting four long balls and Hubbard draining three to lead in that effort.

It was good to see the ball go in the basket from behind the arc, Williams remarked.

They (Patrick County High School) were playing zone the whole game, and we were able to get open shots, open threes, and we were able to knock them down.

The Comets pressure defense more than did its job, as the Comets forced the Cougars into 24 turnovers. By contrast, the Comets had only nine turnovers in the game.

With Tuesday nights win being a good overall team win, Williams was able to give reserves a good deal of playing time and rest his top seven players. Tuesday nights game was the first of three games the Comets are slated to play this week. The Comets were scheduled to go on the road to face Prince Edward County High School on Wednesday night, and face Magna Vista High School at home on Friday night in a Piedmont District contest.

Those first five to seven guys in our rotation didnt play many minutes, Williams noted.

They started each quarter and filtered out. It was a good game to have everybody involved.

Halifax County High Schools TyShawn Medley (22) scoops up a loose ball after knocking it away from a Patrick County High School player during Tuesday nights Piedmont District game at Halifax County High School.

Halifax County High Schools Kevon Ferrell (15) attempts to grab a rebound during Tuesday nights Piedmont District game against Patrick County High School at Halifax County High School. Ferrell led the Comets in scoring in the game.

Halifax County High Schools Isaiah Hubbard (50) steals the ball from Patrick County High Schools Jonathan Norman (11) during the second half of Tuesday nights Piedmont District game at Halifax County High School.

Halifax County High Schools Jaden Waller (4) leaps to block the shot of a Patrick County High School player during the second half of Tuesday nights Piedmont District game at Halifax County High School.

Halifax County High Schools Kameron Roberts (14) leaps between a pair of Patrick County High School players to attempt to haul in a rebound during the second half of Tuesday nights Piedmont District game at Halifax County High School.

Halifax County High Schools Keshawn Wells (10) splits a pair of Patrick County High School players as he goes in for a layup during the first half of Tuesday nights Piedmont District game at Halifax County High School.

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Comets cruise to 72-49 win over Patrick Co. HS - YourGV.com