Thorsby boys win big on senior night
Published 4:50 pm Monday, January 30, 2017
Thorsby’s boys basketball team ended their regular season home schedule in style with a 73-40 victory over Isabella on Jan. 27.
The Rebels offense came alive in the second half, as all four seniors finished the game with at least one basket and a rebound.
“It felt good out there,” Thorsby senior Logan Patterson said. “Everybody was just working for each other.”
Thorsby cranked up the pressure and its full-court defense eventually took control in the fourth quarter.
A pair of sophomores helped lead the way with Tyler Jackson and Christian Fortner combining for seven steals, many of which translated into points at the other end of the floor.
After a relatively tight first half, it was all Rebels in the second. Thorsby outscored Isabella 22-5 in the fourth quarter alone.
“We were executing, and then we got frustrated and our mental focus was gone,” Isabella head coach Glen Graham said.
The Rebel fans were so energized by the team’s effort that the “wave” broke out among the crowd.
“It was an emotional night, because you only get one senior year,” Thorsby senior Jeremiah Bolling said.
Bolling and fellow senior Bailey Sellers each showcased their leaping ability with a pair of rim rattling plays in transition that made sure to bring the fans to their feet late in the game.
Thorsby led 30-22 at halftime, as the Mustangs displayed resiliency and kept the game within reach to that point.
Fortner scored a game-high 23 points, while Cain Niece and Noah Byrd finished in double figures with 13 and 12 points respectively. Byrd hit three-of-four attempts from long range.
Jaqarise Stacy led Isabella with 13 points.
“This has been the most fun group to coach,” Thorsby head coach Tim Fortner said. “They get along with one another and don’t care who scores, as long as we’re winning. They do all the right things.”