Bill Lusk | WVOW Sports
MT. ZION Man overcame a sluggish first-half effort as the Hillbillies picked up a 54-27 win over Calhoun County Friday night at the Calhoun County Sports Complex.
Despite holding the Red Devils to 20 first half points and 8-of-29 shooting from the field, the Hillbillies trailed by as many as six points in the first half and trailed 20-16 as the two schools headed to the locker room for halftime.
Man opened the game in a man-to-man defense, but switched to a 1-3-1 defense, which limited Calhoun County to 10% shooting, seven points and forced 16 turnovers in the second half.
The Red Devils missed their first nine shots of the second half and their final 15 shots, making just 3 of 30 attempts from the floor in the second half.
Man quickly erased a four-point halftime deficit by forcing 10 third quarter turnovers and holding Calhoun County to 1 of 11 shooting while outscoring the Red Devils 18-3 in the quarter.
Noah Frazier scored 11 of Man’s final 14 points to lead a balanced scoring attack. Seven players scored six points or more for the Hillbillies.
Jake Endicott finished with 10 points, Landon Cantrell had eight, Moses Hicks seven and Micah Goble, Blake Hicks and Bryson Wingler each had six points for the Hillbillies.
Baron Davis led Calhoun County with 11 points and Cooper Morris finished with seven.
Man (4-3) snapped a three-game losing streak and will return to action Thursday evening at Sherman before returning home to host Montcalm Friday.
Man 54, Calhoun County 27
Man Hillbillies (4-3)
Endicott 4 2-2 10, Hicks, M. 3 1-1 7, Goble 3 0-0 6, Hicks, B. 2 1-4 6, Cantrell 4 0-0 8,
Frazier 4 0-0 11, Wingler 2 1-1 6. Totals: 22 5-8 54.
Calhoun County Red Devils (2-6)
Davis 4 2-3 11, Carpenter 1 1-2 3, Morris 3 0-0 7, Allen 3 0-0 6. Totals: 11 3-5 27.
Man 6 10 18 20- 54
Calhoun 11 9 3 4- 27
3-point field goals_Man 5 (Frazier 3, Hicks, B., Wingler), Calhoun County 2 (Davis, Morris).