Sports
Rival Downs North Paulding
Wolfpack senior Chris Kennard scores a game-high 19 points in a 50-31 loss to Allatoona in the Lake City Classic Basketball Tournament opener.
The damage was done.
Although North Paulding senior forward Chris Kennard drained 12 of his game-high 19 points in the second half, the 6-foot-3 forward’s efforts were too late.
North Paulding High School’s boys basketball team was unable to overcome a blistering first-half shooting performance by host Allatoona to fall 50-31 late Wednesday night in the first-round Lake City Classic Basketball Tournament.
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Allatoona (9-2) jumped on North Paulding quickly by vaulting out to a 21-9 lead with 3:30 left in the second quarter. They entered halftime holding a 33-13 advantage.
Senior guard Will Grant spurred the Buccaneers’ fast start with 12 of his team-high 16 points coming in the first half.
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“We try to come out of the gate strong so we can crush their spirit,” Allatoona senior Austin Faulkner said. “And they’re one of our biggest rivals, so we were pumped to play them. We let off the pedal a little bit in the end, but a win is a win.”
The Wolfpack (4-8) clawed back in the second half and pulled within 14 points with 5:23 remaining to force Allatoona to bring back in its starters. Senior forward Chris Kennard led the rally by scoring 12 of his game-high 19 points in the second half.
"We fought back, but couldn’t finish,” said North Paulding freshman Greg Benz, who finished with 6 points.
The Wolfpack lost in the tournament again Thursday afternoon, falling 77-33 to Hillgrove.
North Paulding will play South Cobb (7-4) at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Allatoona High. South Cobb lost 63-58 to Alexander Wednesday and fell to Fairdale, Ky., 68-62 Thursday.