Blake Hardin posted a triple-double for Vina on Thursday night, leading the Red Devils to a 62-36 win at Brilliant.
Hardin, a senior point guard, finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, helping Vina even its record on the season at 2-2. Sophomore Jackson Landers shot 5-for-6 from the foul line and added 14 points for the Red Devils, and senior guard Zarek Barnett put up 12 points and nine rebounds. Junior Timothy Newell added eight points.
The Red Devils jumped out to a 14-4 lead after one quarter and then out-scored Brilliant 23-10 in the second to take a 37-14 lead into the locker room. They pushed the margin to 27 by the end of the third quarter and then triggered the hot clock in the fourth, coasting to the win.
Vina (0-1 in Class 1A, Area 13) will travel to Bear Creek for an area game with Phillips on Saturday.
In previous action:
Hackleburg 65 Vina 55
Timothy Newell scored 18 points to lead the Red Devils in Tuesday night's area opener, but they couldn’t overcome a tough first half offensively and a huge third quarter by Hackleburg.
The Red Devils led 7-5 after one quarter but then managed only five points in the second quarter, trailing 20-12 at the break. The visiting Panthers then erupted in the third quarter, out-scoring Vina 29-19 to open up an 18-point lead. The Red Devils closed the game with a 24-16 run in the fourth quarter, but Hackleburg held on for the win.
“For us to hang with Hackleburg like that, I was pretty pleased,” Vina coach Talon Thomas said. “They’ve got a really good team. I thought our guys played a heck of a game.”
Jackson Landers added 15 points for Vina, and Blake Hardin had 11, including three three-pointers.
