Host Mikes beat Mapletown, 49-34, for first win
CARMICHAELS — The Carmichaels boys basketball team collected its first win of the season Friday night with a 49-34 triumph over Mapletown in the opening round of the King Coal Lions Club Tournament.
The Mikes (1-6) scored in double figures all four quarters, made five shots from beyond the arc and tallied the final five points of the fourth quarter to secure the win.
“We moved the ball around better and got it to the open man,” Carmichaels coach Don Williams said. “The shots came easier for us when they are not contested and we were able to get some shots from the perimeter. When we hit our threes, it opens up some stuff on the inside.”
Carmichaels, who was won the last two and four of the last seven Lions Club Tournament crowns, plays Beth-Center Saturday night in the championship game at 7:30 p.m.
Liam Shea scored a game-high 18 points for Carmichaels, while Jacob Kinsell made four 3-pointers to finish with 11 points.
The Maples (0-8) are still searching for their first win of the year, despite 17 points from Jake Lawson and 10 points from Ben Boone.
“We are really struggling to just get the ball in the basket right now,” Mapletown coach Wes Loring said. “Jake stepped up tonight and did very well in the high post. We know that Ben is going to be heavily guarded each game and it’s great when kids like Jake step up. We just needed more complimentary scoring.”
After a back-and-forth opening eight minutes between the two squads that saw Carmichaels grab an early 10-8 lead, the Mikes scored two quick buckets to start the second frame.
Boone nailed a trey for Mapletown to end the scoreless drought midway through the second quarter and a pair of free throws by Lawson brought the deficit down to 16-13.
Carmichaels stretched its lead to 21-13 at halftime after a trey from Kinsell and two free throws from Shea.
In the third quarter, the Mikes started with a 10-7 rally and ended the scoring in the period with a shot from beyond the arc by Kinsell to make it 34-23 at the end of three quarters.
After the teams traded points to start the fourth quarter, the Maples got as close as 44-34 after a 3-pointer by Alix Gennette with 1:51 left before the Mikes ended the contest with a lay-up from Shea and hitting 3-of-5 free throws as a team.
“We came out focus and ready to play,” Williams said. “We had a walk-through (practice) this morning and the kids knew the task at hand. We came out a little slow, but turned it up offensively. Our defense made some late stops and we played with energy.”
Shea and Kinsell combined for 11 of Carmichaels’ 15 points in the fourth quarter.
Mapletown will play Jefferson-Morgan Saturday at 6 p.m. in the consolation game.
“I really believe in these guys,” Loring said. “I know they have a lot of fight in them. They’ve yet to give up on me and they know I’m not going to give up on them. We just have to keep working and looking for ways to get the ball in the basket.”
King Coal Lions Club Christmas Tournament
Mapletown 8-5-10-11 — 34
Carmichaels 10-11-13-15 — 49
Mapletown: Jake Lawson 17, Ben Boone 10. Carmichaels: Liam Shea 18, Jacob Kinsell 14. Records: Mapletown (0-8), Carmichaels (1-6).