Columbia starts fast, finishes strong in win over Kennard-Dale
Written by: TJ Eck on January 3, 2024
Playing just its second game since December 19, it’s fair to wonder how Columbia would come out of the locker room Wednesday night when the Crimson Tide hosted Kennard-Dale in a non-league matchup.
“Having a couple days off and just practicing against your subs from varsity and your JV group, just isn’t the same feel as in-game,” said Columbia head coach Kerry Glover. “So I was very pleased, kinda shocked that we got off to the start that we did.”
Glover’s group scored the first nine points of the game and built a 19-4 first quarter lead en route to a 63-53 win over the Rams. Senior guard Jordan Poole led the way, scoring 13 of his game-high 20 points in the opening frame while Columbia forced eight Kennard-Dale turnovers in the early going.
“That’s always how we try to play because we want to get teams on their back early and I just try to do my best to get the team rolling and get a win,” said Poole.
But while the Crimson Tide built a big lead early, it wasn’t smooth sailing to victory. Kennard-Dale played a bruising, physical style and did its best to simply stay in the game after the early onslaught.
Taking advantage of a couple of Columbia turnovers, the Rams mounted a run to pull within nine, 39-30, in the third quarter. Just before the quarter ended, Columbia junior guard Ladarian Miller scored at the buzzer to push the Tide in front, 48-35.
But again Kennard-Dale responded behind the play of forward Ryan Perzanowski. The junior was a force in the post: scoring 19 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and keeping the Crimson Tide from pulling away.
Columbia led by ten, 50-40, with 4:26 remaining. The Crimson Tide extended its advantage with back-to-back buckets by senior guards Demari Simms and Brelon Miller. With a 54-40 lead and 3:03 left on the clock, it appeared that Columbia was about to cruise.
Kennard-Dale again refused to quit.
The Rams knocked down their only three three-pointers of the game in the final three minutes of the contest and pulled to within seven with 32.1 seconds remaining. Kennard-Dale would get no closer as Columbia made its free throws down the stretch and pulled out the victory.
“It was a very physical game,” said Glover. “Guys played hard, they were able to keep their composure. A couple of points in the game, it got a little rough but they kept their composure and they stayed the course.”
Poole added: “I think we had little struggles deep in the game but we always put it together. We came out good but we let up. Overall, it was a good team win.”
While Poole was the high-scorer, he had plenty of help from his teammates. Artie Poindexter scored all 14 of his points in the second half while grabbing five rebounds. Miller added 14 points for the Crimson Tide while Simms finished with six points and four steals as Columbia forced 18 Kennard-Dale turnovers.
Columbia improves to 7-2 overall and has now won six in a row. While it wasn’t pretty for all 32 minutes Wednesday night, the Crimson Tide still showed flashes of why it has the potential to win a district title and make noise in the state tournament.
“I think we can go all the way,” said Poole. “If we keep it together and just play how we play, I think we can go against anyone.”
Glover added: “I’m pleased. I tell them guys just stay short-minded, focus on what’s ahead. Don’t look too far down the road and we should be fine.”
Columbia resumes Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4 play next Thursday (Jan. 11) when the Crimson Tide travels to Annville-Cleona.
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