Cavs claim victory over Indians

By JIM CUNNINGHAM/Staff

The Holston Cavaliers held off a late rally by Rural Retreat to take a 61-54 victory over the Indians in a Hogoheegee District boys’ basketball game played Friday night at RRHS.
The Indians led throughout most of the first quarter, but the Cavaliers took control of the game with solid second and third quarters to build up a 12-point lead going into the final period.
Rural Retreat made a moderate run over the last couple of minutes of the game to make a bid for its first win of the season, but Holston was able to convert three of its five attempts from the free throw line and kept up its defensive pressure to get the win.
Holston improves to 3-5 in the district and to 5-14 overall. Rural Retreat drops to 0-9 in the district and 0-16 overall.
The Indians were led by Eric Reasor with 15 points and Jared Dix with 11. Holston was led by Jordan Blevins with 25 points and Aaron Reynolds with 13.
Rural Retreat did not trail in the first quarter as J.C. Crockett scored off a pass from David Harmon for the game’s first points. Moments later, a spin move by Reasor followed with a short jumper off the glass for two put the Indians on top 6-2.
RR also held a 10-5 lead before the Cavs came back to tie the game at 10-10 at the end of the first eight minutes.
Reasor connected on two free throws in the opening seconds of the second quarter for a 12-10 RR advantage, but that turned out to be the last lead the Indians would enjoy.
RR gained one last tie after a three-pointer by Trey Huffard with about one minute left in the half, but Holston scored the next five points to lead 28-23 at intermission.
The Cavs remained on top with a strong third quarter. They extended their lead to 13 points about midway in the fourth quarter before the Indians made a charge that cut the lead down to six points on a couple of occasions. But that was a close as RR could get.
The Indians are scheduled to travel to Chilhowie tonight and return home on Friday against Northwood.

Holston 10 18 18 15 – 61
Rural Retreat 10 13 11 20 – 54

Holston – Eric Mefford 3 2-2 8, Andrew Arrington 1 0-0 2, Aaron Reynolds 5 3-6 13, Jordan Blevins 7 9-11 25, Jeffrey Bramlett 0 1-2 1, Aaron Moody 3 1-2 7.
Rural Retreat – Daron Vaught (one 3-pointer) 0 0-0 3, David Harmon 4 0-0 8, Trey Huffard (two 3-pointers) 0 0-0 6, Eric Reasor 6 3-4 15, J.C. Crockett 4 1-3 9, Jared Dix 4 3-6 11, Jake Whalen 1 0-2 2.
(T – 1:20)