Malvern is back in the win column

Not sure how long it’s been since the Malvern boys basketball team lost three games in a row. It is safe to say, however, that it’s been quite some time.

The good news for the Hornets is that the slump stopped at three and Malvern is back in the win column. Even more important is the fact that the Hornets are still first in the Inter-Valley Conference’s North Division and still unbeaten there.

Not to dredge up bad memories but the Hornets began their week with a visit to Kidron Central Christian Jan. 6 for a nonconference matchup and came away 68-51 losers. Malvern can trace its woes to the third quarter as the Hornets trailed the Comets by five coming out of the half.

In the third period, however, Central Christian outscored Malvern 18-7 to as the Comets’ lead bulged to 16 points entering the final quarter. Delonte Simmons was the only Hornet in double-digits as he scored 12 points, while Grady Barkley added nine and Luke Thomas chipped in with seven points. Drew Badertscher led the Comets (6-3) with 17 points.

Three days later, Malvern traveled to Sandy Valley for a nonconference contest and the Hornets, understandably tired of the losing streak, ended their slump emphatically after recording a 56-36 win over the Cardinals.

Malvern coach Dennis Tucci was elated that his team’s brief slump was over, which makes sense because who enjoys losing?

“After a three-game losing streak, it was so nice to get that big win versus Sandy Valley,” he said. “It was a great defensive effort by our guys.”

The Hornets kept Sandy Valley well below their average of nearly 49 points per game as the Cardinals didn’t reach 10 points in a quarter until the final period with the game well in hand for Malvern.

Barkley scored 16 points to lead all scorers and Simmons added 12 for the Hornets (8-4). Drew Graybill paced Sandy Valley (2-10) with 14 points.

Girls Basketball

Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Translation: You win some. You lose some. Such was the case with the Malvern girls’ basketball team began the past week well enough with a visit to Garaway Jan. 7 for a nonconference battle.

The Hornets used a 14-4 run in the second quarter to create some separation and then hung on for the 46-35 victory, their sixth win in seven outings. Ella Debo was clearly breathing deeply in the zone as she scored 25 points – half of her team’s baskets and seven of Malvern’s eight free throws.

Addy Mitchell scored eight points and Whitney Smith added seven for Malvern. True Tango and Laynee Reneker each scored eight points for Garaway (4-9).

On Jan. 10, the Hornets hosted Newcomerstown in an IVC North dustup, and from the get-go, things did not bode well for Malvern. Out of the gate, the Trojans doubled up Malvern, outscoring the Hornets 12-6 in the first quarter on their way to a 51-34 win.

After hanging with Newcomerstown in the second and third quarters, the Trojans went on a sustained run in the final period, outscoring Malvern by 12 to provide for the final margin.

Debo again led with 15 points, while Smith added nine for Malvern (8-6, 3-5). Laynie Matchett’s 21 points paced the Trojans (7-6, 5-2).