Junior Zac Hill had a career day and Coach Kendal Wallace reached a career milestone as LaGrange rolled past Berea 85-66 in a USA South game Saturday in Mariotti Gym. The Panthers improved to 4-1 in the conference and evened their season record at 9-9. Berea fell to 4-12 and 0-5.
Hill led all scorers with a career high 22 points in 21 minutes of playing time. He was 11-of-13 shooting, pulled down six rebounds, and had two blocks. Gabe Cofield had 14 points, making 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Kyle Brown and Cooper Dolhancyk had 10 points each.
Wallace picked up his 150th career win, all at LC. He is second to Al Mariotti's 186 career wins. Wallace also beat Berea for his 100th win on Dec. 16, 2017.
Coach Kendal Wallace
"Zac Hill is a very deserving young man. He puts a large amount of effort and communication into his defensive play. He's one of our leading rebounders and I can't speak highly enough about him. Zac is one of our leaders and was telling the team to come out with intensity on defense and be efficient on offense before the game and I think we did that.
We wanted to get the points up enough and make a statement with my top seven or eight players. It was important to get everyone in the game to help boost morale. The other guys come to practice everyday and try as hard as they can. It was nice to see them get out there and be somewhat successful. I liked seeing our top players cheering for them to have success. That is the type of culture we have in the LC men's basketball program."
The Game
The Panthers came out blazing, hitting 10 of their first 11 shots to open up a 23-3 lead in the first six minutes of the game. LC shot 64.5% in the first half and led 45-21 at the break. Hill finished his day with a dunk off an assist from Brown to open up a 35-point lead, 69-34, with 11:19 remaining. Wallace emptied the bench from there as he was able to play all 13 who dressed out. Grant Evans, playing in his first game of the season, had seven points in seven minutes of playing time. LC finished with 20 assists in the game, the second most for the Panthers this season.
The Panthers face Brevard in a USA South game Sunday in Mariotti Gym. Game time is 1 p.m.
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