By ANTHONY STEVENS
for the Daily Telegraph
HONAKER, Va. _ There was a little more excitement in the opener than most expected. Regular season champion Honaker pulled away late to defeat Hurley 60-46.

“An ugly win is better than a pretty loss, that’s for sure,” Honaker coach Marcus Dunham said. “I thought my kids played hard, but I have to tip my hat to Hurley they had a good game plan. Hurley received some good guard play and handled our pressure well.”

The Rebels slowed the pace, used a very patient offense and it was very effective. When Zack Lester dropped in a foul shot, it cut the Tiger lead to 30-29 with 3:15 left in the third quarter. Honaker started a 20-4 run late in the third and it ran into the fourth quarter to end Hurley’s upset bid.

As usual there was one huge constant for the Tigers. Tanner Robinette filled the stat sheet with 31 points, 24 rebounds, six blocks, four steals and four assists. Hartley Hilton also had a big night with 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

“Tanner had some big time boards and some big time buckets,” remarked Dunham. “He was consistent and that is very valuable.”

Brady Justice with 17 points and Lester with 16 led the Rebels.



HURLEY (8-15)

Spencer 0 0-0 0, Lester 7 2-5 16, Pack 1 0-0 2, Justice 8 1-3 17, Justus 2 0-0 4, Hurley 2 2-2 7. Totals 20 5-10 46.

HONAKER (25-0)

Sample 0 0-0 0, Boyd 2 0-0 5, Hilton 6 0-2 12, Phillips 0 0-0 0, Harman 0 0-0 0, Eaton 2 0-0 4, Stinson 1 2-2 4, Coleman 2 0-2 4, Wilson 0 0-0 0, Robinette 13 5-13 31. Totals 26 7-19 60.

Hurley...........................15 8 8 15 — 46

Honaker........................15 15 9 21 — 60

3-point goals – Hurley 1 (Hurley 1), Honaker 1 (Boyd 1). Total fouls – Hurley 11, Honaker 11. Fouled out - none. Technicals – none.