Red-hot start helps Richland boys soar past Southlake Carroll, 85-60

By Jarret Johnson

jmjohnson@star-telegram.com

SOUTHLAKE -- The Southlake Carroll Dragons had to like their chances heading into Tuesday's matchup against District 4-5A rival Richland. The Dragons had played the Rebels to within one point on the road in December and they were getting the Rebels at home.

Yet, Tuesday night it was all Richland, as the Rebels rolled to a 85-60 victory in a contest that was never in doubt. Junior guard Hayden Hunter scored a game-high 22 points and 6-foot-9 junior post Tim Priller added 17 to lead the Rebels (17-7, 7-1).

"It was pretty typical of what I thought our kind of basketball could be like at this point," Richland coach Richard Bacon said.

"We played Richland basketball, got off to a good start, just built on it and basically won every quarter."

Richland jumped to a 21-8 lead after ending the first quarter on a 10-0 run over the final three minutes of the period. The Rebels extended the lead to 20 by halftime on the back of Priller's 11 points, which included a dunk and a 3-pointer.

Carroll (16-10, 5-3) opened the second half on a 11-2 run to cut the Rebels' lead to 11 but Richland again ended the quarter on a burst of 12-0 to make it 69-42.

Leyton Hammonds, an Oklahoma State signee, showed off his all-around game for the Rebels. The 6-foot-8 wing threw down a pair of dunks, nailed a 3-pointer, blocked three shots, scored 15 points, controlled the glass and made several long outlet passes that led to easy layups for teammates.

"We sent a message that Richland basketball is back and at the right time," Bacon said.

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