Hornets win season opening game

by By Michelle Dillon Contributing writer
Photo by Michelle Dillon
New Summerfield Hornet Collin Wilkerson dunks the basketball unopposed during Friday night’s season opening game against the Kennard Tigers. Photo by Michelle Dillon
New Summerfield Hornet Collin Wilkerson dunks the basketball unopposed during Friday night’s season opening game against the Kennard Tigers.

The New Summerfield Hornets christened their new coliseum with a 65-44 win over the Kennard Tigers Friday, Nov. 9, marking a good beginning to the basketball season for the team consisting of all seniors.

New Summerfield took a slight 18-15 lead in the first frame. However, the Hornets found themselves competing mainly against a single Kennard player who sank four treys in the same quarter.

Holding Kennard to a single three-pointer in the second period and only 8 points overall, New Summerfield increased their lead to 39-23 by the half.

Collin Wilkerson alone sank as many points during the first half as the opposing team, including a three-point shot of his own.

Bryant Leon hit nine of the 19 points scored in the third quarter, helping increase the Hornet lead by 28 over the Tigers.

Though outscored 14-7 in the final frame, the Kennard effort was too little, too late. New Summerfield came away with the 65-44 win in the first game of non-conference play.

High scorers for the team were Wilkerson with 30 points and Leon with 23, including three treys. Also adding points to the board were Julio Parra with four; Elvis Mendoza, three; Louis Martinez and Jose Nunez with two points each and Jace Fry with one.

The team made 67 percent of free-throws, sinking six of nine from the charity stripe. They also hit 22 from inside the paint and scored five three-pointer shots.

“Besides it being a great grand opening night of the Coliseum, I was very happy with our energy and effort, especially on the defensive end,” Head Coach David Sanders said of the team’s performance.

“Defense has been my main focus since the end of last season. If we can continue to play with that type of relentless pursuit of the ball, and make a few more open shots, we have a chance to be a really strong team this year.”

The Hornets were scheduled to play Latexo at home Tuesday, Nov. 13, before hosting the New Summerfield Tip-Off Tournament Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 15-17.

Ten teams are set to play in the tournament and include New Summerfield, Sabine, Slocum, Neches, LaPoynor, Central Heights, East Texas Christian School-Longview, Grace Community School-Tyler, New Way Christian Academy-Odessa and Lake Country Christian School-Fort Worth