By LARRY HYPES
Bluefield Daily Telegraph

TAZEWELL, Va. — Quick, but not hurried.

A 29-point fourth quarter cleared the road as Tazewell raced to an 81-65 victory over Grundy on Monday night at Tazewell Middle School.

Juwan Jordan and Colin Hancock combined for 43 points to lead a parade of four double-digit scorers for the Bulldogs (3-3) who led 35-29 at halftime and pulled away in the closing stages behind perhaps their most consistent effort of the season.

Tazewell hit 10 three-point shots and Grundy nailed 8 treys.

Jordan poured in 18 first half points for Tazewell against the Golden Wave (2-4). Grundy matched the Dogs in the opening quarter with 17, as Wes Peck scored 8 in the initial stanza.

“Our speed game worked tonight,” noted Hancock. “We have to push the ball up court, because we don’t have a lot of size, although we do play hard inside.

“Run and gun is our specialty right now. I was able to hit some shots and it sure feels better when they go in,” laughed the senior guard.

Charles McCoy, who finished with a game-high 25 points for Grundy, enabled the Wave to stay close with a powerful first half effort.

As Malik Davis inside and Isyah Hagy outside teamed with Tanner Catron to help the leading scorers, Tazewell’s balance made the difference.

After Grundy had pulled within two, at 40-38, on a bucket by Jordan McCoy, Tazewell scored 10 straight points and held control the rest of the way.

Hagy and Jordan drilled three’s in the third period and then Hancock finished with a flourish, as he fired in four treys in the last period to spark a 29-point outburst.

Jordan was consistent, especially in the first half.

“We know we have to get up and down the court fast,” he said. “I was able to get going inside tonight — we had a good team game overall — and then I hit a couple of threes. It was great to win at home.”

Grundy coach Todd Tiller said, “We got down a little then really pulled close but down the stretch Tazewell made their shots, including at the free throw. It’s tough to overcome that.”

Peck scored 17 for Grundy and McCoy added 10.

Jordan tossed in 23 for the Bulldogs as Hancock netted 20. Tanner Catron was nearly as effective with 16 points and Hagy scored 10.

The Golden Wave was 15-of-27 at the line and Tazewell made 13-of-21 free throws.

Bulldog coach William Lester concluded, “Our team played as a unit tonight and that is the top priority. With four players in double figures and good play from everybody on the floor, I was really pleased.

“We moved the ball well, made some good passes, and worked our offense. I’m very proud of that fourth quarter. It’s nice to see 29 points any time.”

Grundy plays Marion on December 27 in the Lebanon Christmas tournament while Tazewell takes on Honaker Wednesday in the Virginia High event.



At Tazewell Middle School

GRUNDY (2-4)

Ethan Duty 4, Charles McCoy 25, Wes Peck 17, Jordan McCoy 10, Mickey Viars 1, Cristian Jackson 3, Baylen Dillow 5

TAZEWELL (3-3)

Nick Elkins 1, Malik Davis 7, Tanner Catron 16, Colin Hancock 20, Juwan Jordan 23, Jesse Mountain 4, Isyah Hagy 10

Grundy............................17 12 17 19 — 65

Tazewell..........................17 18 17 29 — 81

3-point shots: GR 8 (Peck 3, C. McCoy 2, J. McCoy 2, Jackson 1). TZ, 10 (Hancock 4, Jordan 3, Catron 2, Hagy 1). Fouled out—none.