Grant Bentley led the KMAC in scoring during the regular season, and that production continued in the Division IV Central 1 Sectional Championship with 34 points in a 79-41 win for No. 3 Northmor over No. 19 Madison Christian on March 2.
Northmor took a 16-11 lead to start the game and never looked back, as they won every quarter. They had a 33-19 lead at the half, and then exploded for 31 points in the third quarter to make it a 64-37 lead. The Golden knights had a 15-4 advantage in the fourth to secure the lopsided win.
“We challenged our guys at halftime to play more physical defense and finish layups better and I believe we did that consistently as a team in the second,” said Coach Blade Tackett, who is the KMAC Coach of the Year. “Those two things are going to be a deciding factor in our game vs Patriot Prep on Tuesday at Centerburg High School as we look toward the rematch with the team that knocked us out last year.
Northmor went 9-for-24 from beyond the arc, and they shot 46.6% from the field as a team. They scored 36 points off turnovers, as Madison Christian had a tough time in that category with 26 turnovers.
“Madison Christian gave us a good test physically, especially early on but we were able to turn them over and score off live ball turnovers,” Tackett said.
The Golden Knights also led 25-2 in second chance points. Northmor had a 35-23 rebounding advantage, and also led 16-6 in assists and 12-7 in steals.
Bentley, who was recently named the KMAC Player of the Year, had 34 points and was efficient in the victory. The star junior went 11-for-23 from the floor and 8-for-9 on free throws, while going 4-for-10 from three point land. He also grabbed nine rebounds, and tallied six steals and an assist.
Jax Wenger was also dominant with 15 points, going 6-for-8 and 3-for-5 from three. He had seven assists and four rebounds, as well.
Hunter Fulk tallied eight points, three assists, three steals and a rebound. Drew Hammond put up six points, seven rebounds and two blocks. AJ Bower had five points, a rebound and a steal. Logan Caudill hit a three, while Bodden Landin, Isaac Black Isaac Kincaid and Bryson Keirns all scored two points.
Northmor takes on No. 4 Patriot Preparatory on March 5 at 7 p.m. in front of a home crowd.
