PH KOs Cougars, 72-53

     Patrick Henry knocked Pulaski County out of the River Ridge District Tournament in the first round Saturday in Roanoke, 72-53. PH was the league’s top seed, the Cougars were seeded fourth as just four RR teams qualified for district play. Pulaski County will play in the Class 4, Region D tournament next Friday when the 8th seeded Cougars travel to South Boston to play top seeded Halifax. Pulaski Co. dropped to 10-13 on the season. PH is 18-3 and will face Cave Spring in the title match Tuesday evening. The Knights squeaked past Salem in overtime by two.
    Pulaski Co. led 16-12 at the end of the first quarter, far and away the best eight minutes of the day for the Cougars. But PH turned it up and outscored the Cougars 21-6 in the second quarter to lead at the half, 32-22. PH never really allowed Pulaski Co. to regain contact and outscored the Cougars 40-31 the second half for the final, 72-53 win.
    Hayden Gray led the Cougars with 15 points, A.J. McCloud got 14 and Josh Bourne eight. Jalen Crump with 17, Jalen Cook 16, and Javonte Smith with 15 led the Patriots.
Patriot Staff Report