Huskies Back With a Bang
CADIZ -- Harrison Central honestly didn't care if it won or lost Thursday evening.
After 31 practices during an extended preseason, the Huskies were simply excited to finally see someone come into their gym with a different uniform.
If that wasn't exciting enough, add in the fact that Harrison Central posted an impressive 74-60 victory against Bellaire and it was an all-around good night for Justin Clifford's crew.
"Everyone's in the same boat and we're just happy to be playing," Clifford said. "To be able to get a win on top of it, makes it even nicer."
The Huskies started slowly and Bellaire, which was playing for the fourth time already, got out early. However, the hosts settled down and thanks to the work of junior Jonathan Vermillion on the inside, surged to a 16-14 lead after one.
It was in the second when the Huskies really found their stride.
"In a first game, you're kind of worried if you're going to be in slow motion and is the speed going to catch up to us, but Johnny got us going and played big early," Clifford continued.
If Vermillion continuing to give the Big Reds fits to a tune of 10 more points wasn't enough, senior standout Kobe Mitchell got going.
The University of Akron signee scored eight in the period and helped spark a 12-0 run to close the half, which resulted in a 38-24 cushion at halftime.
While Mitchell, who finished with a game-high 29 points, only had 11 at halftime, he was seemingly in constant control for the Huskies.
"In all of my years of playing and coaching (in the Ohio Valley), I can't remember a kid who had already signed with a Mid American Conference school other than maybe (Cambridge's) Geno Ford in 93, so (Mitchell) is a really good player," Bellaire head coach J.R. Battista said. "Akron doesn't recruit guys who aren't very good players. Vermillion scored early, but you have to give so much extra attention to a guy like (Mitchell) and when he gives the ball to other guys and they make plays, it really stretches out on you."
Indeed.
On top of Vermillion's work on the interior, the Huskies also got eight, first-half points from Cabot Arbaugh, who also did the bulk of his work on the interior.
"When you have (Mitchell), it's a nice luxury because he can control the game and it's tough for the other team to take so many chances," Clifford said. "Our other guys really, really stepped up and played well."
In the second half, Bellaire appeared to be on the brink of being ready to get on a run, but Mitchell turned up the scoring. He scored 13 points in the third.
Mitchell's stat production included seven rebounds and five assists. His scoring was backed impressively by Vermillion, who poured in 26. Arbaugh finished with 10.
Bellaire received another solid outing from senior David Zwack. He was hot early, scoring 11 in the first quarter. He buried four bonus goals in the second half and finished with 25 for the game.
Junior Owen Ward backed Zwack's production with 13. The Huskies' size on the interior limited junior Jaren Cash to eight points, which is 15 points below his average.
Neither team has much time to dwell on this game, however. Both are in action tonight. Harrison Central welcomes St. Clairsville for another edition of the 'Clifford Bowl' and the Big Reds, who have now dropped two in a row, return to the home boards to take on debuting Martins Ferry.