Danville’s Lucas Sparks drives past a Hubbard defender. | Caleb Suggs

Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

The improving Danville Hawks faced a tough challenge when they traveled to take on the R.A. Hubbard Chiefs. The Hawks were trying to keep from dropping three straight games.

The Hawks opened up on an 8-1 run with the first six points coming from Preston Shelton. Malik Byrum helped get Hubbard back in the game but Lucas Sparks gave Danville a 15-10 lead at the end of one.

Danville pushed the lead to 20-14 at the beginning of the second, but the Chiefs went on a 7-0 run from there to take control. Riely Evans added six more points as Hubbard took the lead at halftime 29-25.

Hubbard took control of the game even more in the third quarter. The Chiefs outscored the Hawks 13-9 in the third to push their lead to 42-34 at the end of the third.

Sensing his team needed someone to step up, Danville’s Cameron Orr answered the call in the fourth. After not scoring any points in the previous quarters, Orr exploded with 16 points in the fourth. Orr knocked down four three pointers on four shots as Danville went on a 16-8 run to cut the lead to 51-50. The closing minutes featured plenty of drama. Adston Compton cut the lead to 58-56 with free throws but a lane violation made it just 58-55. Hubbard took advantage and extended their lead to 59-55. Compton then cut the lead to 59-57 with four seconds left giving the Hawks a chance. Hubbard made one free throw and missed the other as the Hawks took the ball and raced down the court. Orr took the ball and released the shot as time expired, but it clanged off the front of the rim and Hubbard won the game 60-57.

Preston Shelton finished the game as Danville’s leading scorer with 17. Cameron Orr finished with 16 which all came in the fourth quarter. Riely Evans led R.A. Hubbard with 23 points.