PONDER - In a battle between two of the most successful Class 2A programs in the state, the Krum Bobcats erased a 10-point second-half deficit, hitting 13 of 16 free throws in the fourth quarter to rally for a 63-55 win over the Ponder Lions.
The two boys programs have combined for nine state championships and seven additional appearances at the state tournament. Krum is now 20-6 overall and 4-0 in District 9-2A; Ponder is 14-12 and 3-1.
Ponder was seemingly in control in the boys game when Dalton Brown's short jumper gave the Lions a 38-28 lead with 4:15 left in the third quarter. But two of Taylor Troth's 3-pointers in the period and a short baseline jumper at the end of the quarter capped a 14-5 run that gave the Bobcats a 44-43 lead.
Zach Hughes hit a layup for Krum to open the fourth quarter, one of only three field goals Krum would score in the period. Ponder closed to within one point four times, but Krum kept hitting from the free-throw line and pushed its lead to 55-51 on two Troth free throws with 2:52 left.
Ponder closed to within two twice before Krum pulled away for good, scoring the final six points of the game - a follow-up basket by Leo Sanchez and four Hughes free throws.
Hughes, who was 13-of-16 from the line - 8-of-10 in the fourth quarter - led Krum with 19 points. Troth added 16 and Sanchez finished with 11. Krum was 20-of-24 at the line; Ponder was 21-of-29.
Sophomore Clay Morgan led Ponder with 16 points and Brown added 12.
Girls
Krum 50, Ponder 27
PONDER - The first round of Friday's battle of Highway 156 between the Krum Lady Bobcats and the Ponder Lady Lions ended up not much of a battle at all.
The renewal of the annual rivalry between the two schools, located only seven miles apart, was a blowout in favor of Krum, which rode a tenacious defense and an outstanding shooting performance en route to a 50-27 victory over their District 9-2A rival.
Rachel Wallace scored 16 points and Julia Schmaltz added 10 for Krum, the No. 3-ranked team in the state. The Lady Bobcats improved to 23-2 and 5-1 in district.
Krum was without its only senior, guard Lauren Hooper, who injured her knee during the Proper Tournament over the holidays and has now missed seven games. Hooper was injured in the game against The Colony, the only nondistrict game Krum lost.
Madison Stout led 19th-ranked Ponder (19-10, 3-3) with 11 points.
Krum scored in double figures every quarter, while Ponder never scored more than seven points in any quarter.
Schmaltz, Wallace, and Caitlyn Arnold combined for 22 first-half points as Krum held a 26-13 lead to start the second half. Wallace hit a 3-pointer to open the half before Ponder closed to within 12 on consecutive baskets by Stout.
The Lady Bobcats, however, outscored Ponder 10-3 the rest of the quarter for its biggest lead at 39-20 and were never threatened the rest of the way. All Ponder could muster in the fourth quarter was seven free throws.
Krum jumped to a 9-0 lead on a game-opening 3-pointer by Wallace, short jumpers by Sydney Shelstead and Arnold, and a pair of Wallace free throws before Stout hit a free throw. Schmaltz hit back-to-back jumpers, and Krum led 13-1 less than three minutes into the game.
Ponder went on an 8-2 run, capped by Stout's 10-foot jumper with 6:48 left in the half to pull the Lady Lions within six, 15-9. But Krum finished the half on an 11-4 run led by Arnold's five points.
Boys
Krum 13 9 22 19 - 63
Ponder 16 15 12 12 - 55
Krum (20-6, 4-0) - Kyle Hankin 6, Taylor Troth 16, Tanner Rankin 3, Zach Hughes 19, Cooper Barksdale 4, Creed Holley 2, Patrick Verdin 2, Leo Sanchez 11.
Ponder (14-12, 3-1) - Clay Morgan 16, Grant Boxwell 3, Tanner Yeager 8, Micah Broadstreet 8, Dalton Brown 12, Josh Peterson 8.
Girls
Krum 15 11 13 11 - 50
Ponder 7 6 7 7 - 27
Krum (23-2, 5-1) - Allison Beck 2, Rachel Wallace 16, Julia Schmaltz 10, Sydney Shelstead 7, Caitlyn Arnold 9, Callie Craddick 4, Diamond Martinez 2.
Ponder (19-10, 3-3) - Madison Stout 11, Jessica Sprabeary 6, Ashley Peterson 6, Addison Thompson 2, Shayla Cozart 2.
