Hot Hornets win again

Cottondale’s Darien Pollock (with the ball) fights off a group of Vernon defenders trying to steal the ball during a first round district tournament game on Monday night in Blountstown. Pollock scored 14 points to lead the Hornets to a 60-35 victory. CHS next plays Friday night in the semifinals.

By By DUSTIN KENT, Floridan Sports Editor
Published: February 10, 2010

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The Cottondale Hornets started hot and cruised to a 60-35 victory over the Vernon Yellowjackets Monday night, in the first round of the District 2-2A tournament in Blountstown.
Cottondale led 11-0 to start the game and 26-15 at halftime.
The Hornets pushed the lead to 20 through three periods, and eased into Friday’s semifinal round.
Cottondale will next play the winner of Tuesday night’s Blountstown versus Holmes County game, for the right to play in Saturday night’s district championship.
Darien Pollock led the Hornets with 14 points, with Trestin White adding 10.
While Cottondale coach Chris Obert said he was happy with the way his team finished the game, he wasn’t happy with some of his team’s early play.
After jumping out to the 11-0 lead, the Hornets didn’t score again in the first period, leading 11-7 at the end of the quarter.
“We were a little sluggish in the first quarter,” the coach said. “We came out early and jumped on them, but I guess once we got a lead, we got kind of settled. They’ve got sort of a depleted team with suspensions and grades, and we didn’t play with the most intensity.
“We didn’t play with a high level of energy. If we do like that at this point of the season, we won’t continue to be successful. I think we understand that. Hopefully, on Friday we’ll be back focused and ready.”
Obert said that whoever his team’s semifinal opponent ended up being, it would be a sterner test than the Hornets faced on Monday.
“Either way, it will be tough,” the coach said. “It’s at Blountstown’s place, so that makes it a challenge if it’s them. They’ve got a real good team that’s coached up, they’ve got Leon (Broxton), and some players around him who can make plays.
“We split with Holmes County during the year, and they have (6-foot, 9-inch freshman Chris Walker). Any time you’ve got a kid that size who is that athletic and talented, it will always present a challenge.
“They’ve also got (Jeremy) McGowan, and he can fill it up, too. He hurt us both times we played them. They’re a scary team as well. It’s going to be tough either way.”