Seniors Kameron Beekman and Will Yoakum scored 17 points apiece to lead the Delaware Hayes boys basketball team to victory Tuesday night.
The duo led the Pacers, who outscored Marysville 15-2 in the first quarter, to a 50-38 non-league victory in Delaware.
“I liked our defensive intensity,” said Beekman, an Upper Sandusky transfer who scored the first six points of an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter after Marysville had cut it to four. “I liked the driving holes we had and I got good shots … I just need to start hitting some free throws. I get to the line a lot.”
Beekman went 6-for-11 at the line as the Pacers finished 18-for-24 overall. Yoakum finished a perfect 8-for-8 at the line to lead the way.
Terin Kinsway sparked the Pacers with a pair of threes and Yoakum knocked down a third and went 4-for-4 at the foul line as Delaware took advantage of some early turnovers in the opening period.
“Our kids respect the system,” Hayes coach Jordan Blackburn said. “The system is that we want a shot that everyone on the team thinks is good. The coaches don’t really have to police that – our guys get on each other if (a shot is) somewhat questionable. That makes it fun to coach these guys … they are unselfish.”
Kinsway added eight points and eight rebounds, Beekman finished with six boards and Yoakum added four for the Pacers (3-2).
“(Beekman) is like a bulldog,” Blackburn said. “He’s a little bit quicker than what people think and a little stronger than what people think. He’s just such a hard worker.”
Marysville’s Marshall Francisco scored eight of his nine points in the second quarter to finally get the Monarchs going, but Beekman closed out the half with an and-one conversion to give Delaware a 24-10 lead at the break.
“I thought, for the most part, we did a nice job of denying their two 6-6 guys (Josh Daman and Francisco) the ball,” Blackburn said.
Yoakum had two dunks in the third quarter that helped the Pacers withstand a nine-point outburst by Marysville’s Bodie Eberhart as the Monarchs cut the deficit to 35-26 through three. Eberhart finished with nine points and three rebounds.
Marysville added to a 14-4 run with baskets by Daman and Kameron Young that got the Monarchs (1-3) as close as 35-31. Daman had eight points and Michael Ross chipped in seven.
“One of the things we always tell (our players) is respond with discipline,” Blackburn said. “When things are hard, that’s not when you shy away from the moment – that’s when you have to be at your best.”
Delaware returns to OCC-Cardinal action at home against Dublin Scioto Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
Orange 57, Hilliard Darby 51
Zack Stablein poured in a game-best 16 points on the strength of four three-pointers to lead the Pioneers to a non-league win over the Panthers Tuesday in Hilliard.
Orange (2-1) set the tone early, racing out to a 15-10 lead after one and 31-19 edge by halftime.
Cam Barron was also solid, adding 13 points, while Matt McCollum and Jalen Bethel finished with eight apiece.
BOYS BOWLING
Orange def. Olentangy 2,155-2,083.
GIRLS BOWLING
Olentangy def. Orange 2,166-2,061.
