Averaging just over eight points per outing through 12 games this season, Hopkins County Central’s Cohl Hoard erupted for 33 on Tuesday to help the Storm overcome 44 from Heritage Christian Academy’s Jason Leek in an 83-58 victory.
Leek put up 12 of the Warriors’ 18 in the opening quarter, but Hoard and Davonyae Butcher combined for 22 to help the Storm open up a nine-point advantage.
Leek and Hoard continued to duel in the second quarter, with Hoard dropping 15 to tip 14 from Leek and send Hopkins Central into halftime with a 52-34 lead.
While the Storm remained in high gear after the break, HCA only managed six points in the third frame to see the margin balloon to 34 points with a quarter to play. Blaze Sumner scored seven for Hopkins Central and Hoard capped his night with six more.
Leek knocked down two of his five three-pointers in the fourth to finish as the lone Warrior in double figures.
Butcher added 13 points for the Storm and Lake Sumner just missed double figures with nine.
HCA slipped to 3-11 ahead of an 8th-District matchup with Christian County on Thursday.
Hopkins Central snapped a two-game skid to improve to 7-6 with a trip to Caldwell County coming up on Friday. The Storm topped the Tigers 64-55 at the St. Mary Christmas Classic and have won five of the last seven in the series.
Hopkins Central 27 25 21 10 — 83
Heritage Christian 18 16 6 16 — 58
Hopkins Central (7-6) — Hoard 33, Butcher 13, L. Sumner 9, B. Sumner 7, Dunlop 6, Gunn 6, Peyton 4, Hopson 3, Stephens 2, Trejo 2
Heritage Christian (3-11) — Leek 44, Thompson 4, Gresham 3, Kirkman 2, Wells 2, Wheatcraft 2
