Trojans jump all over Rams, 81-36

The Sentinel-Record/Mara Kuhn TREY'S TREYS: Lakeside's Chris Babb (1) drives the ball as Hot Springs' Trey Lenox defends during the first half Tuesday at Trojan Fieldhouse. Lenox scored 32 points, including seven of 10 three-pointers, to lead the Trojans to an 81-36 romp and a three-way tie with White Hall and Watson Chapel for first place in the 5A-South.
The Sentinel-Record/Mara Kuhn TREY'S TREYS: Lakeside's Chris Babb (1) drives the ball as Hot Springs' Trey Lenox defends during the first half Tuesday at Trojan Fieldhouse. Lenox scored 32 points, including seven of 10 three-pointers, to lead the Trojans to an 81-36 romp and a three-way tie with White Hall and Watson Chapel for first place in the 5A-South.

Speechless. That's all Hot Springs coach Rodney Echols could say about his team's start Tuesday night.

The Trojans opened a 26-point lead in the first quarter and led by 35 in the second, crushing rival Lakeside 81-36 at Trojan Fieldhouse.

"The kids played hard and shot lights out tonight," Echols said. "The intensity was there. The kids got up to play Lakeside as a crosstown rival. ... I'm just speechless. I'd normally be able to tell you more."

With Watson Chapel knocking off White Hall 58-55, Hot Springs (13-5, 5-1) moved into a three-way tie for first place in 5A-South.

The Trojans have fueled their home fans with turnovers this season, and Lakeside (5-12, 1-5) committed eight in the opening quarter. Hot Springs scored 15 of the first 17 points and led 21-4 before an 11-0 run to 32-6 in the first 7 1/2 minutes. Lakeside's Kelen Bland beat the buzzer with a jumper ending Hot Springs' second 30-point quarter in as many game

"Everything that could go right for them went right, and everything that could go wrong for us went wrong," Lakeside coach Tommy White said. "You have to tip your hat to Hot Springs. They have a great club, and they can beat a lot of people when they play like that."

Hot Springs scored more points in the first quarter than Lakeside totaled in the first three periods. Trey Lenox personally outscored the Rams for three quarters, finishing with a season-high 32 points and resting in the mercy-rule fourth.

"Trey was unbelievable," Echols said. "He was seven of 10 from the three-point line. He's a special player, and we've been waiting for him to shoot the ball this well all year. Hopefully, this is a coming-out party for the next eight ballgames. With efforts like that, the sky's the limit for the kid."

Lenox hit four threes in the opening quarter, three straight at one point, and had 20 points by halftime. He put on a third-quarter show, hitting three of four from three-point range and Hot Springs' final eight points for a 70-30 lead.

With Hot Springs' top players playing the first three quarters, the Trojans were 29 of 43 (67.4 percent) from the field. They were 32 of 53 (60.4 percent) overall, their offensive efficiency also showing in a season-high 21 assists against seven turnovers.

"That's the most assists we've had all year. I can guarantee that one," Echols said.

Hot Springs had 12 different scorers, Cleo Floyd adding 10 points off the bench and K.J. Corder nine.

"We talk about it all the time, about everybody producing and chipping in and playing their part, knowing their role and perfecting their role," Echols said. "As long as they're doing that, we'll play at a high level."

Lakeside was only six of 17 (35.3 percent) from the field in each half. Shawn Smith led the Rams with 10 points, Chris Babb adding nine.

"Hopefully, we can give them a better test at Lakeside (Feb. 17) ... when we play them the next time," White said.

Both teams are home Friday night, Hot Springs against Hope and Lakeside against Camden Fairview, as the first half of conference play ends.

Lakeside;8 10 12 6 -- 36

Hot Springs;32 20 18 11 -- 81

Lakeside: Smith 10, Babb 9, Jolley 5, Bland 4, Webber 3, Rice 2, Gentry 2, Spakes 1.

Hot Springs: Lenox 32, Floyd 10, K. Corder 9, K. Christon 6, Dobbins 4, Pondexter 4, Goffigan 3, Tate 3, E. Christon 3, M. Corder 3, Hampton 2, White 2.

Sports on 01/29/2015

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