Bruins take advantage of banged up Kewpies
COLUMBIA — The Rock Bridge boys basketball team beat rival Hickman 74-57 on Thursday night in front of a packed Hickman gymnasium.
Rock Bridge coach Jim Scanlon said he was pleased with his team's efforts, especially after a week of unpredictable weather, which left Columbia Public Schools closed early in the week.
"We came in and spread the ball around," Scanlon said, "It was a good win, against a rival, and now we have some time off before some tough competition ahead."
Hickman was short starters Eric Franklin, Arthur Johnson and Spenser Washington. Hickman coach Kenny Ash said they all suffered ankle injuries during the Blue Springs Tournament the team participated in last week.
"We're banged up," Ash said, "We've been going hard for the past couple of weeks, and it's really starting to catch up with us."
Ash said the injuries were not extensive, but that he wanted to get his players fully healed and did not want to risk returning them to the court too soon.
"I know it was a rivalry game, and that's big," Ash said. "But we have bigger fish to fry coming up in January, and we get a chance to play them again."
Hickman starter Crandon Cook was injured during the fourth period. Cook fell and hit his head on the floor, and he was taken out after appearing shaken up.
"He hit is head pretty hard on the floor," Ash said, "He had some blurry vision, and so they took him to the hospital to get checked out for a possible concussion."
Rock Bridge closed the first period with a five-point lead, which it extended, rounding out the first half with a 37-24 advantage.
The Bruins continued to dominate on the court throughout the third period. The Kewpies had an unproductive fourth period, bogged down by foul trouble.
Ash said he expects his starting lineup to be back by the team's next game in the MFA Shootout against Lebanon on Jan. 3 at Mizzou Arena.
Rock Bridge will play Monday at Marquette.