Top-seeded Warriors roll past Okaw Valley in opener

Feature photo caption: Nolan Clement drives hard to the rim for a bucket against the Timberwolves. Clement chipped in eight points as the Warriors built a commanding 32-9 halftime lead and cruised to victory.

—photos by Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter

By Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter

CUMBERLAND — The Casey-Westfield Warriors earned the top seed for the annual Cumberland Turkey Tournament and looked every bit the part in their opening round matchup against the Okaw Valley Timberwolves. Playing like a battle-tested squad, the Warriors built a solid early lead and never looked back, cruising to a 55-26 victory.

CW got on the board first after a steal by Fred Thomas moved the ball downcourt, allowing Leighton Jones to convert an offensive rebound for the first basket of the season and a 2-0 lead.

The Warriors generated their next two baskets off steals—one by Jack Julius and another by Jones—to build a 6-0 advantage. Okaw Valley finally scored on a free throw, but a three-pointer by Jones upped the CW lead to 9-1 midway through the first quarter.

A turnover by the Timberwolves put the ball in the hands of Jackson High, who found Nolan Clement open at the rim for two. After an errant shot by Okaw Valley, Landon Justice grabbed the rebound and hit Jones in stride for a basket and the foul, extending the lead to 14-1.

The defensive pressure continued as Jones converted a steal for a layup. Although Okaw Valley answered with a basket, the Warriors closed the quarter with a bucket by Justice off an offensive rebound by Will Moore, leading 18-3.

The second frame opened with a steal and assist by Julius, feeding Justice to expand the lead to 20-3. Following a defensive rebound by Justice and an assist to Clement, the lead grew to 22-3. Justice then assisted Moore for a three-pointer, making it a 25-3 advantage.

Okaw Valley managed a few points, but CW kept the pressure on. A feed from Julius to Jones made it 27-5. Late in the half, High found Justice beyond the arc for an uncontested three-pointer. At the break, CW held a commanding 32-9 lead.

When play resumed, the Warriors continued to post solid offensive numbers while maintaining defensive intensity with multiple lineups rotating onto the court. CW outscored Okaw Valley 23-17 in the second half to finalize the 55-26 victory.

Leighton Jones dropped 16 points to lead all scorers, with Nolan Clement and Jackson High chipping in eight points each. Landon Justice contributed seven points. Jack Julius, Fred Thomas, and Garrett Short added three points apiece, while Drake Worby and Blake Burkybile both recorded a basket.

High and Justice led the Warriors on the boards with six rebounds each, while Thomas pulled down four. Jones was credited with four steals, and Julius picked up a pair.

Jackson High goes up for two points during the Warriors’ season-opening rout of Okaw Valley. High was a key contributor on both ends of the floor, finishing with eight points and six rebounds as Casey-Westfield rolled to a 55-26 win.
—photos by Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Scoring Drives (Game Flow)

• 1st Quarter: Warriors defense forces turnovers to fuel a 14-1 run; CW leads 18-3.

• 2nd Quarter: Three-point shooting and transition play extend the lead to 32-9 at halftime.

• 3rd Quarter: Warriors maintain dominance, leading by large margin.

• 4th Quarter: Bench rotation closes out the 29-point victory.

Individual Statistics

• SCORING: Leighton Jones 16, Nolan Clement 8, Jackson High 8, Landon Justice 7, Jack Julius 3, Fred Thomas 3, Garrett Short 3, Drake Worby 2, Blake Burkybile 2.

• REBOUNDING: Jackson High 6, Landon Justice 6, Fred Thomas 4, Nolan Clement 3, Jack Julius 2, Drake Worby 2, Garrett Short 2, Leighton Jones 2, Will Moore 2, Blake Burkybile 1, Riley Phillips 1.

• ASSISTS: Jack Julius 4, Landon Justice 3, Leighton Jones 2, Jackson High 2, Nolan Clement 1, Blake Burkybile 1.

• STEALS: Leighton Jones 4, Jack Julius 2, Nolan Clement 1, Fred Thomas 1.

• BLOCKS: Jackson High 1.

Landon Justice battles for position to secure a rebound against Okaw Valley. Justice was a force on the glass in the season opener, tying for the team lead with six rebounds while adding seven points to the scoreboard.
—photos by Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter