Huge first quarter too much for Polk to overcome in loss to Reynolds

An explosive first quarter powered A.C. Reynolds to an 88-51 win over Polk County in a non-conference boys basketball battle on Monday at Polk.

The Rockets (3-6) put their height advantage to good use early, constantly pushing the ball into the lane for baskets and causing issues for Polk County (1-5) with their full-court and half-court pressure.

Reynolds rolled to a 31-6 lead at the end of the first quarter, and save for seven free throws, every basket came either on layups or short jumpers in the lane. The Rockets scored the final 18 points of the period to build the large lead.

Polk County cut the deficit to 18 midway through the second as Dillon Overholt hit back-to-back 3-pointers for a 33-15 margin with 4:39 remaining. But Reynolds pushed the lead to 51-24 by halftime and never led by less than 20 points the rest of the way.

“We’ve got work to do,” said Polk County head coach Antoni Staley. “As coaches, we’re trying to get the kids to believe in themselves as much as we believe in them.”

Overholt finished with 17 points to lead Polk County, which also got eight points from Brandon Bacher. Amir Gary had six points, with Rustin Muse, Malik Miller, Jaylon Bontrager and Seth Hardin each scoring four. Hardin also had five rebounds.

Jack Derkach had three points and Wyatt Derkach added one for the Wolverines, who return to conference play Tuesday with a Western Highlands Conference matchup at Mountain Heritage.