CHARLOTTE — Creek Wood’s Jace Herrell and Jamison Ford combined for 41 points and despite a second-half comeback bid by Community, the Vikings took a tough one on the chin and dropped the 65-56 non-district clash on Monday evening.
From the opening tip-off, the Red Hawks were able to penetrate the lane, draw fouls and get to the free throw line.
In the opening quarter alone, Creek Wood cashed in on 8-of-8 free throw attempts.
Community hung close and answered the early 16 points by the Red Hawks with 11.
The hosts pulled away in the second quarter with a 22-point effort, including six by Herrell.
By halftime, Creek Wood built an 18-point lead.
But after the disparity in the second quarter, Community rallied in the second half, posting 18 points in the third and fourth quarters.
A large part of the Vikings’ offense in the second half came from a the effectiveness from the perimeter,
As a team, Community connected on seven treys in the contest, with four coming courtesy of Corey Paterick.
Stratton Lovvorn added a pair as well.
But even on a 36-27 run through the second half, the Red Hawks were able to continue working to the line and in the fourth quarter, connected on an efficient 13-of-16 attempts to put the game away.
Lovvorn led three Vikings in double figures with 16 points, with Paterick adding 14 and Maki Fleming adding 11.
Herrell led all scorers with 23 points, while Ford added 18.
As a team, the Red Hawks made their living at the charity stripe where they shot 86%.
Community, while effective at the line, managed just 7-of-10 attempts.
The Vikings will open district play on Friday at Forrest.

Community 11 9 18 18 — 56
Creek Wood 16 22 11 16 — 65

Community: Stratton Lovvorn 16, Corey Paterick 14, Maki Fleming 11, Jacob Flanagan 4, Noah Newkirk 4, Emery Smith 2, Jason Cullum 2, Cole Crockett.
Creek Wood: Jace Herrell 23, Jamison Ford 18, Braden Dawson 13, Carter Thomason 5, Clint Morgan 4, Bryson Harding 2.
3-Point goals: Community (7): Paterick 4, Lovvorn 2, Fleming; Creek Wood (3): Ford, Herrell, Thomason.
Halftime score: Creek Wood 38, Community 20.