Royals’ defense bites down on Bulldogs

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Eastern Hancock guard Silas Spaulding scores over Lapel defender Brennan Stow during the second quarter at Lapel on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. (Richard Sitler/Daily Reporter)

By James Howell Jr. /For The Daily Reporter

LAPEL – Regardless of how strong their win-loss record is, Lapel is always a tough matchup. The two-time state champion boys basketball program is a staple atop the Class 2A standings year in and year out.

On Friday night, the Eastern Hancock Royals (10-4) were dealt a hefty challenge by traveling to Lapel (7-8) to meet the ever ready Bulldogs. By remaining methodical and patient, the Royals found success on both sides of the court and were able to prevail with a 58-46 victory.

Despite the Bulldogs’ now sub-500 record, Royals head coach Aaron Spaulding knew his team was in for a dogfight.

“Until tonight, I don’t think we have won in this gym – that’s how tough it is,” Spaulding said. “Lapel is also a dangerous opponent. While they don’t have one standout guy this year, they have eight or nine that can make a real difference in the game. We knew we had a tough game ahead, and despite not shooting the ball really well early, we were able to get the job done late.”

Early on each team faced a dilemma. The Royals forced six Bulldogs turnovers in the first 3 minutes, 30 seconds, which left the Bulldogs to figure out how to slow down the Royals’ attack, and the Royals had to find a way to continue applying their pressure.

EH junior Jacob Spaulding simply could not be stopped defensively in the first quarter, however. Of the seven Bulldogs turnovers, he was responsible for five — which quickly filled the stat sheet.

Despite the success defensively, the rowdy crowd and discomfort they create in the gym led to multiple missed Royals’ opportunities. The Bulldogs remained down just 9-7 entering the second quarter.

Early in the second quarter, the Royals extended their lead to eight with precise passing and sneaky backdoor cuts. Within a matter of moments that lead vanished as the Bulldogs hit back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers to pull ahead.

The Royals countered with their patience and precision and were able to regain a 22-20 lead heading into the halftime break.

“The first half was rough for us shooting,” coach Spaulding said. “To stay composed and kept our minds in the game late was great to see from the guys.”

Despite Jacob Spaulding’s continued ability to create turnovers, which landed him with nine steals on the night, the Bulldogs couldn’t be completely put away through three quarters.

“Jacob had a good game,” Spaulding said. “Being my kid I can kind of get onto him a little more than the others from overstepping sometimes with his hands on defense because it can be good or bad. Tonight was good though, and those opportunities he made did a lot for us.”

The Bulldogs stayed within four points heading to the fourth quarter. In the fourth, it was all Royals, though.

Back-to-back 3-pointers from Landon O’Neal with 3:30 remaining gave the Royals a nine-point lead. O’Neal finished the game with 18 points.

Continued defensive pressure allowed the lead to grow to as many as 15 in the late moments of the game.

To go with his nine steals, Jacob Spaulidng finished with a co-leading 18 points for the Royals.

The Royals are right back in action tonight on the road at Union County.

Eastern Hancock 58, Lapel 46

Eastern Hancock;9;13;18;17;—;58

Lapel;7;13;17;9;—;46

EASTERN HANCOCK (10-4): Landon O’Neal 7 1-2 18, Jacob Spaulding 5 5-5 18, Silas Spaulding 3 1-3 8, Grant Gray 1 2-2 5, Edric Miller 2 0-1 4, Cyrus Burton 1 2-2 4, Cole Rainbolt 1 0-0 3. Totals: 20 11-15 58.

LAPEL (7-8): Brode Judge 4 0-0 11, Corbin Renihan 4 0-1 8, Nick Witte 3 2-3 8, Chase Landis 1 0-0 3, Tyler Dollar 1 0-0 3, Landon Bair 2 0-0 6, Griffin Craig 1 0-0 3, Bode Judge 1 2-3 4. TotalS: 17 4-7 46.

3-point field goals: Eastern Hancock 9 (O’Neal 3, Jacob Spaulding 3, Silas Spaulding 1, Gray 1, Rainbolt 1), Lapel 8 (Br. Judge 3, Landis 1, Dollar 1, Bair 2, Craig 1).