Class 2A #2 Shenandoah used a dominant second half to blow out previously undefeated Eastern Hancock tonight in a battle for first place in the Mid-Eastern Conference.

 

A balanced offense was the order at the start for Shenandoah, as all five starters scored in the first quarter as the host side took a five-point lead at the end of the first period. Six early turnovers prevented them from stretching the lead out further, but the formula for success was found in the post with Kam Graddy. The 6'5 forward simply overwhelmed the much smaller Royals, repeatedly scoring inside with quick, aggressive moves.

 

Eastern Hancock was able to keep within arm's length thanks to five first-half points off the bench from Cameron Wise.

 

The Raiders took an 11 point halftime advantage and quickly extended it as Michael Howard nailed back to back three-pointers from nearly the same spot in the right corner. The lead quickly hit 20 and would extend all the way to 28 by the end of the third quarter, as the guards for Shenandoah applied relentless pressure and were able to get into passing lanes, leading to several fast break points for the hosts.

 

Eastern Hancock simply could not find success anywhere, as cold shooting, turnovers, and being doubled up on the backboards all mixed in a recipe for disaster. All told, Shenandoah outscored the visiting Royals 40-12 in the second, sending a message to the rest of the MEC that the title still goes through the Raiders.

 

Shenandoah shot 64% from the field, as they nearly had as made field goals made as Eastern Hancock had total points. Andrew Bennett and Michael Howard tied for game-high honors with 16 points apiece. Kameron Graddy joined them in double figures with 14.

 

No Royals reached double figures, as they shot just 12/45 on the evening for a paltry 27% mark. Landon O'Neal led with eight points, while Cole Rainbolt added six points, as Eastern Hancock suffered its first loss.

 

 

Eastern Hancock   7  11   7   5  -  30

Shenandoah       12  17  24  16  -  69

 

Eastern Hancock: Landon O'Neal 8 points (3/10 FGs, 2/8 3Ps); Cole Rainbolt 6 points (3/7 FGs), 2 rebs; Silas Spaulding 5 points (2/7 FGs, 1/3 3Ps), 3 rebs; Cameron Wise 5 points (2/6 FGs, 1/2 3Ps), 4 rebs; Zach Arnold 3 points (1/2 3Ps); Jacob Spaulding 2 points (1/11 FGs), 2 rebs, 3 asts; Drew White 1 point (1/2 FTs), 2 rebs, 2 asts

 

Shenandoah: Andrew Bennett 16 points (6/8 FGs, 3/5 3Ps, 1/2 FTs), 6 rebs, 4 asts, 3 stls; Michael Howard 16 points (6/10 FGs, 3/5 3Ps, 1/1 FTs), 6 rebs; Kameron Graddy 14 points (7/9 FGs, 7 rebs, 3 asts, 2 blks; Kaden McCullough 9 points (4/6 FGs, 1/2 3Ps), 5 rebs, 4 asts; Tanner Goff 5 points (1/2 FGs, 3/4 FTs), 3 rebs; Jasper Campbell 4 points (2/3 FGs), 2 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls; Jakeb Kinsey 3 points (1/5 FGs, 1/2 FTs), 3 asts, 3 stls; Carson Brookbank 2 points (1/1 FGs)