FARMINGTON -- A 1-3-1 zone employed by Farmington coach Beau Thompson proved to be just what the Cardinals needed to end a 10-game losing streak.
Farmington pulled away in the second half with a 61-47 victory over Clarksville in a rescheduled game Wednesday at Cardinal Arena.
Clarksville doesn't have any player taller than 6-foot on its roster and Farmington capitalized using a size advantage. The Cardinals attempted twice as many free throws (21-of-31) as did Clarksville (12-of-15) to offset a trio of 3-point shots made by the Panthers.
"They are a poor matchup for us," Thompson said. "They're quicker while we're bigger and slower. We had trouble staying in front of them at their place. That's why we played the 1-3-1 zone. We tried to keep two guys around their best two (players) Bob Hurley (18 points) and Trace Thomas (held to a single field goal) at all times."
The duo combined for 39 points in the first meeting, a 56-51 Clarksville win in January.
A second key for Farmington was working the ball into the post effectively, using good shot selection in the third quarter to build a 40-33 advantage going into the fourth quarter. Skyler Montez led all scorers with 28 points. Peyton Maxwell added 17 and Xavier Staten had 12.
"We did a good job of executing the game plan," Thompson said. "We're bigger than them at the 3-4-5 spots. No matter what we were going to throw it down there. Skyler Montez played maybe his best game of the year. Xavier Staten played a good game. We can be pretty good when our big three are scoring. When Peyton Maxwell, Skyler Montez and Xavier Staten all score in double figures we can beat anybody."
The Cardinals held a narrow, 22-21, lead at the half before outscoring Clarksville 39-26 over the final two quarters.
Clarksville 12 9 12 14 -- 47
Farmington 13 19 18 21 -- 61
Clarksville (5-19, 2-8): Cole Clark 6 9-9 23, Bob Hurley 7 3-6 18, Cameron Patterson 2 0-0 5, Trace Thomas 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 12-15 47.
Farmington (7-17, 1-8): Skyler Montez 8 12-18 28, Peyton Maxwell 5 7-9 17, Xavier Staten 6 0-0 12, Jacob Gray 0 2-4 2, Mason Downs 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 21-31 61.
GIRLS
Farmington 60, Clarksville 46
Alexis Roach carried Farmington in the third quarter. The 5-8 junior forward scored Farmington's first 9 points to counter a 10-0 Clarksville run.
Farmington fashioned a 12-0 run of its own to close out the quarter leading 47-38, then outscored Clarksville 13-8 in the fourth to secure a the win.
Roach and Joelle Tidwell led the Lady Cardinals with 19 points apiece. Makenna Vanzant added 14.
Preps Basketball on 02/08/2018