Community Middle opens up with wins

Viking Austin Carpenter (22) skies for a rebound against Webb. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Community Middle hit an impressive eight 3-pointers and placed 10 players in the scoring column to down visiting Webb Middle 57-17 on Thursday night.

The Vikings led 19-5 after one quarter and 38-7 at intermission.

"Our kids played hard tonight and we had a bit of an advantage numbers wise," Community coach Robbie Davis said. "We were able to run a lot of kids at them and fatigue became a factor.

"I was pretty happy with our guys coming out focused and ready to play this game."

Taylor Paschal, Luke Primm and Quinn Frost hit from 3-point range in the third quarter and the Viking defense held Webb to just one field goal by Ben Morris to extend their advantage to 55-9 going to the fourth quarter.

In the final period, Chris Burgoon lit up the scoreboard for the Feet to the tune of eight points. They held the home team to just two points but time wound down on the Blue and Gold's comeback attempt. He finished with 10 points to lead his squad.

Paschal led all scorers with 15 points for the Vikes. Tanner Simmons added 11.

"We are still a work in progress, and we know that we have a long ways to go to be a good team," Davis said. "But we showed that we are capable tonight. That is a good start."

Community 42, Webb 11 (G): Tayhlor Stephenson and Jamie Demonbreum split 16 points between them for the Viqueens.

The Purple and Gold bolted out to an 11-0 advantage before Webb's Montana Bieder ended the streak with a free throw at the 2:24 mark of the first quarter.

Community's Tayhlor Stephenson (20) saves a loose ball and finds an open teammate as an added bonus in the first quarter against the Lady Feet. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"I was pretty pleased that we came out and got off to such a fast start," Community coach Kevin Hinson said. "We have only had a few practices as a team because most of our kids were playing soccer up until a couple of weeks ago.

"They came out with real good intensity and took control early."

Community kept the pressure on Webb, who was playing with a roster decimated by illness, and led 22-4 at the half.

Stephenson scored four points and Blair Demonbreum added a 3-pointer in the third period to stretch the lead to 34-8 going into the final frame.

Webb's Savannah Burchett answered with a trey from the top of the key in the fourth, but the Viqueens finished strong to account for the final score.

"It was a good start to the season," Hinson said. "We looked pretty good, but we know that we have some work to do to be ready for our next game."

Community travels to Eagleville on Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 6.