RABBITTOWN — The nine Islands players sinking 3-pointers during the pregame shoot-around served as a serious foreshadowing for East Hall on Thursday in the two teams’ Class AAA second round playoff game.
While the Sharks sank six just treys for the game, they blistered the Vikings defense in the first half for 45 points en route to a 89-62 victory at the East Hall gym.
The win pushed Islands (19-9) into the quarterfinals. The loss ended the Vikings season at 21-8.
Islands shot 56 percent (18-for-32) in the first half while taking advantage of a cold-shooting East Hall team (5-for-26, 19 percent). The Sharks never trailed, getting 3-pointers from sophomore Trae Broadnax and senior Justin Cove for a 6-0 lead in the opening minute and quickly pushed the lead to 14-4 in the first four minutes.
East Hall pulled within 14-7 on a Luke Holtzclaw 3-pointer, but the Sharks answered with a 17-4 run into the second quarter for a 31-11 lead. They took a 45-20 lead into halftime.
“They are by far the best offensive team we’ve played all season,” East Hall coach Joe Dix said. “We had some chances early but couldn’t finish.”
Broadnax was the catalyst, pouring in 17 points to go with four assists as nine different players scored for Islands in the first half. Broadnax finished with 27 points and six assists for the Sharks.
East Hall got as close as 20 once in the third quarter but Islands extended the lead back to 64-42 heading into the fourth quarter. The Vikings got within 64-45 on a three-point play from Sedrion Morse to open the fourth quarter. But the Sharks answered with an 8-0 run to quell any comeback attempts.
Despite the disappointing finish, Dix said the future is bright for the Vikings, who return four starters and a slew of underclassmen.
“This is a young team and any time you get experience like this it helps,” Dix said. “There is a big upside for this group.”
Senior Mahki Brown paced East Hall with 14 points in his final varsity game. Sedrion Morse added 10 points and Trevor Rider scored eight for the Vikings.
