Stingy Polk silences Pickens in Knights tourney

Polk County’s first-half defensive prowess Saturday helped power the Wolverines to a 57-35 victory over Pickens (S.C.) in the consolation bracket of the Knights Christmas Tournament at North Henderson.

The Wolverines (2-8) will place Monday in the tourney’s fifth-place game, meeting Erwin at 11 a.m. at North Henderson. The Warriors defeated West Henderson on Saturday.

Polk County did its best work in the second period, holding the Blue Flame (2-11) to just a single field goal and free throw. That helped the Wolverines take a 33-14 lead into the locker room, and Polk built on that margin in the final two quarters.

Aaron Jackson led Polk with 18 points, with Gunnar Alm adding 11. Khristian Littlejohn scored nine, with Khalil Austin adding six and Dallas Littlejohn scoring five.

Chase Stansbury had three points, with David Duffy and Jayce Edwards each scoring two and Nate Fagan adding one.