The Walton-Verona boys’ basketball team has advanced to a second straight 8th Region semifinal with a 57-44 victory over Anderson County Monday night at Henry County High School.
In the battle of the Bearcats, it was the black and blue prevailing over the red and white. Walton-Verona used six 3-pointers from Justin Hester to prevail, the senior totaling 18 points.
For the first handful of minutes into the game, it looked as if a 3-point contest was breaking out. Walton-Verona led 14-12 six minutes in, the two teams combining for eight 3-pointers in that span.
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The lid came on for Anderson County from there as Walton-Verona locked in and held Anderson scoreless for over eight minutes as they stretched their lead to 27-17 by halftime. The second quarter proved pivotal as Walton outscored Anderson 13-5 in the frame.
Walton-Verona (21-12) remained comfortably ahead, taking a 42-30 lead into the fourth, but Anderson (15-13) opened the final stanza with a 7-0 run through the first four minutes of the quarter.
Walton-Verona remained poised, Hester hitting two big three’s down the stretch to separate as they earned a date with North Oldham in next week’s semifinals. They’ll face the Mustangs on March 17 at 6:30 p.m. The two opened the season against one another, a 65-57 Walton-Verona victory on Dec. 3.
Following Hester’s 18 points was Aaron Gutman with 14 points, Aiden Kerns tossing in 10. Walton-Verona hit nine 3-pointers in total, overcoming a 12-for-22 effort at the free throw line.
Anderson was led by Carson Sutherland’s 19 points, knocking down five 3-pointers.
PHOTO SLIDESHOW: Walton-Verona vs Anderson County 8th Region quarterfinals (provided by Charles Bolton)
WALTON-VERONA — 14-13-15-15 — 57
ANDERSON COUNTY — 12-5-13-14 — 44
Scoring
Walton (57) — Hester 18, Aaron Gutman 14, Kerns 10, Strunk 7, Adam Gutman 6, Dryden 2
Anderson (44) — Sutherland 19, Hart 9, Hockensmith 6, Beasley 6, Ruble 4
Game Stats
3-Pointers Made: Walton 9, Anderson 8
Free Throws: Walton 12/22, Anderson 4/4
Fouls: Walton 11, Anderson 17
Records: Walton-Verona 21-12, Anderson County 15-13