Williams leads four in double figures as Pacers earn Homecoming victory
The Switzerland County Pacers celebrated Homecoming last Friday night with a 55-51 victory over South Decatur.
The win featured a balanced offensive attack, as four Pacers finished in double figures in scoring.
The game kicked off with Switzerland County getting a jumper from Aiden Griffith and two freethrows from Jacob Williams; and South Decatur got on the scoreboard when Jacob Scruggs scored.
Williams hit a jumper; and that was matched by a basket from Dale Peters.
Switzerland County then got a basket by Canaan Johnson and a rebound and put back by Griffith to move out to a six point lead — and Williams hit a basket that finished the opening period to give Switzerland County a 12-4 lead.
Canaan Johnson opened the second period with a pair of freethrows; and after Scruggs hit a three-pointer for the Cougars; Williams made one of two freethrow attempts.
Scruggs narrowed the deficit for the Cougars by converting a traditional three-point play.
Griffith scored again for the Pacers; but Lucas Ballard hit a three-pointer to keep South Decatur close, 17-13.
The Pacers then went on another run, getting two freethrows from Williams; a bucket by Griffith; and a basket by Williams to again push the lead to 10.
Colby Rathburn scored for the Cougars to cut the lead to eight; and when Cameron Henderson completed a traditional three-point play and Jaylynn McMurray added a basket, suddenly Switzerland County’s lead was down to three — 23-20 — with just under three minutes to play.
The Pacers got baskets from Canaan Johnson and Kadyn Riley to give Switzerland County some breathing room; but Ballard made a bucket to keep things close.
Switzerland County closed the half strong, getting two freethrows from Riley and a three-pointer from Williams, and at the halftime break, Switzerland County led by 10, 32-22.
Williams scored to open the second half for the Pacers; but Henderson was fouled on a three-point attempt and made two of the three charities.
Riley had a stellar night off the bench, drilling a three-pointer; and after Scruggs made two freethrows; Williams drove to the basket for another bucket. Scruggs then made another freethrow and followed that with a three-pointer, and with 2:14 to go in the third, Switzerland County held a 39-31 lead.
Again the Pacers closed the quarter strong, getting baskets by Canaan Johnson and Cooper Todd — but Williams was whistled with his fourth personal foul with 57-seconds to go, sending the junior sharpshooter to the bench as the period ended.
Riley made another three-pointer as the quarter closed, and after three the Pacers held a 46-31 lead.
Heading into the final eight minutes, Peters kicked off what was going to be a hot quarter for him with a three-pointer and a basket.
Griffith was fouled and made one freethrow attempt; but the Cougars got a freethrow from Scruggs and another basket by Peters to get the lead down to eight.
With 4:46 to go, Pacer coach Travis Wrightsman sent Williams back into the fray with the goal of sealing the victory; but it didn’t work to plan, as Williams lasted just 11-seconds before picking up his fifth and final foul on a somewhat controversial call by the officials.
Scruggs made two freethrows from the resulting fifth foul; and when Peters made another three-pointer, with 3:21 to go Switzerland County was fighting for their lives holding onto a 47-44 lead.
They responded.
Griffith made a jumper from the lane that was huge in the scope of the contest; and Dylan Sullivan got a run out and a layup that extended the lead back to seven.
Rathburn made two freethrows; but the Pacers got buckets from Todd and Canaan Johnson to jump ahead by nine.
Peters hit another three-pointer —he had 13 points in the quarter, the only field goals that the Cougars would have — and Scruggs made two more freethrows, but the final horn sounded with Switzerland County in front, 55-51.
Williams led Switzerland County with 18 points in basically three quarters of play; while Griffith finished with 11.
Riley and Canaan Johnson had 10 points each to make it four players in double figures.
Todd had four points; and Sullivan contributed two.
Scruggs had 19 to lead South Decatur, while Peters rode his hot fourth quarter to 15 total points.
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In the junior varsity game, South Decatur defeated Switzerland County 50-43.
Briar Johnson led Switzerland County with 13 points; while Mason Peelman was in double figures with 11.
Cale Collier and Austin Hemingway each added eight points; Cale Cumbie had two; and Carson Griffith chipped in one.