For The Tribune

MEDORA

Crothersville built up an early lead and rolled past Medora 84-47 on Friday night in the Hornet’s Nest.

Freshman Josh Thomas dominated the competition, finishing with a game-high 34 points.

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Tigers coach Greg Kilgore said that the Tigers played better at both ends of the floor then they did in the opening game against Orleans.

“I thought we had some good defensive intensity tonight,” he said. “I thought we pressured them which was what we talked about in practice this week, trying to speed them up and make them play a little quicker than they are more comfortable and used to.”

The visitors took advantage of Medora’s turnovers to open a 9-0 lead at the 5:47-mark.

The Hornets had four turnovers before getting off their first field-goal attempt.

Two free throws by Conner O’Sullivan capped the Tigers’ 9-0 lead.

Thomas scored seven points and O’Sullivan six to lead the Tigers to 19-6 lead at the end of the first period.

Medora had 10 turnovers and shot 1 for 5 in the opening quarter.

The Tigers opened up a 27-12 lead in the second period before the Hornets made four 3-pointers to battle the Tigers on even terms for the remainder of the period, with the visitors leading 42-26 at the half.

Brandon Moore, Gavin Henson, Calib Willis, and Jayvin Spurgeon hit 3-point baskets for the Hornets in the second period.

Thomas had 16 points in the second quarter.

The Tigers outscored the Hornets 9-5 in the first three minutes of the third quarter to extend their lead to 51-31.

Crothersville outscored Medora 17-2 the remainder of the quarter to take a 68-35 lead into the fourth quarter.

O’Sullivan scored 15 points for the Tigers in the third quarter.

Thomas also had 10 rebounds and O’Sullivan was next in scoring with 21 points.

Kilgore complimented O’Sullivan with his play.

“Their defense was not as tough as Orleans but we still made some shots that I felt we missed against Orleans,” he said.

Moore topped the Hornets (0-3) with 14 points, Willis scored 12 and JD Fish scored 11.

On the boards, the Tigers won the rebound battle 30-23.

Medora coach Mark Morin said the slow start hurt his team.

“We had 21 turnovers in the first half, and we are not going to beat anybody doing that,” he said. “I felt good if we could it under 10 before the half and we got it down to 10.”

Medora will host Springs Valley tonight while Crothersville travels to Shoals.