Oak Hill erupts in second half for win

Southern Sports & Travel

Oak Hill broke open what was a close first half against home-standing Kirk last night in the Kirk Invitational Tournament to record a 47-28 win and improve to 12-6 on the season. Sophomore AJ Jones had a game high 18 points to lead the seventh ranked Raiders who will take on Pillow this evening.

Neither squad could garner any separation in a close back and forth first quarter that would end tied up at 10-10.

Kirk would grab their first lead of the evening at 14-12 on Jake Poe’s steal and basket with 4:51 remaining in the second quarter and immediately extended that lead to 16-12 on a Drew Tillman 17 foot jumper.

Oak Hill’s first half struggles on the offensive end continued as the Raiders misfired on four free throws to end the half down 18-17 to Kirk.

The second half was a different story for Oak Hill. The Raiders gave up a Kirk free throw to begin the third quarter but it was all Oak Hill from that point on. AJ Jones reeled off a 12 foot jumper off the glass and provided two fast break baskets to give the Raiders a 23-19 lead with 5:43 left in the quarter.

Conner Baird’s offensive rebound and put back at the 1:56 mark of the quarter capped a 16-0 Oak Hill run that pushed the Raiders lead to 33-19. Oak Hill finished the quarter on an AJ Jones basket in the paint to take a 35-24 lead into the final quarter.

Kirk would get no closer in the final quarter as Oak Hill’s defense yielded just two baskets in the final eight minutes to take a 47-28 win.

AJ Jones led Oak Hill with 18 points, Reid Posey added 14, Bradley Allan 3, John Williamson, Jacob Dickens, Jeb Stevens and John Wilborne all had 2 each.

For Kirk (8-6) Sayle Roberts had 13, Drew Tillman 7, Tyler Kirk 4 and Jake Poe and Reid Walker 2 apiece.

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