NEW MARKET — Looking to get back in the win column and stay in the hunt for another Sagamore Athletic Conference Championship, the Southmont boys basketball team welcomed conference leader, the Tri-West Bruins into the Bob J. Tandy Gymnasium on Thursday.
The Mounties did fall to the Bruins 68-60 in a hard fought and physical battle.
The first half remained tight as the Mounties and Bruins were tied at 13 after one quarter, and the Bruins took a 30-27 lead into halftime. Tri-West scored frequently in the third quarter to build their lead to 13 points, but the Mounties fought hard and ended the quarter with a seven-point deficit.
“I’m proud of how we competed, and I’m proud of our effort,” said Southmont coach Michael Byrum. “Unfortunately, tonight was a night where we didn’t shoot the ball very well. We knew Tri-West would go on a run at some point tonight because they are very gifted offensively. We just couldn’t match their run.”
The game saw seven different players in double-figures. For Southmont, Vince Reimondo led with 17 points and Austin Foley had 13. Aaron McMasters and Caden Miller each scored 10. For Tri-West, Ryan Miller led all scorers with 18, and Jaxon Paris and Wes Ward each had 13.
The Mounties (10-5 overall, 4-2 SAC) now turn their attention to their Saturday match-up with the state-ranked (number seven) Parke Heritage Wolves.
“I told the boys that our game tonight is very similar to our upcoming game with Parke Heritage,” Byrum said. “Tonight was a test run because Tri-West and Parke Heritage are both strong offensively. I think if we play with our competitiveness and effort I saw tonight, we can play with anyone.”
Southmont hosts Parke Heritage at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
