Inside the Box Score

Garrison Linton (New Market, Md./Oakdale) scores 20 points paired with seven assists and seven rebounds.

Garrett Cox (Glen Allen, VA/Glen Allen) drops 18 points along with eight rebounds.

Kullen Robinson (Alexandria, Va./Alexandria City) off the bench scored 13.
 
How it Happened

The last time the Blazers stepped on the court against the Mustangs they hung a three-digit spot and the scoring was fluent from start to finish. Although Hood had started the process to become a healthier team, it would take much more to get in homeostasis.
 
It took almost three minutes for Hood to score their first points, illegal screens, turnovers and missed shots eventually led to a Cox three in the corner to break the drought.
 
The pace eventually picked up and with their possessions became quick outcomes, once they get the ball at the defensive end they try to score early, and the pace was quoted as "not broadcaster friendly" on the livestream. A steal by Linton turned into a fastbreak layup for Mallory and a quick jumper by Yarbrough and they were in business.
 
Once you turn it on, it's hard to turn it off. Threes after missed shots by Stevenson started to bury the good start for the Mustangs and the Blazers would ride with a lead.
 
Linton after being on the mend expanded his came to its original form, being a threat physically to be able to draw guys open and be able to drive to the basket when needed and get a bucket. He also attempted eleven shots on the day, that was more than the total of his last three games.

The second half saw more on-ball coverage at the top of the key, forcing the Blazers to slow down and take more methodical offensive possessions. With the decline of offense, Stevenson found their stroke and hit nine threes in the second to climb back.
 
Stevenson would bury a late three with two and a half minutes ago and Hood would be in fear of an upset after putting up as 27-point lead.
 
But to save the day was the man who hadn't taken a shot all night in 20 minutes; Jack Fricka (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac).
 
Bandaged and all, parked himself at the top of the key before receiving the feed by Cox then sprinting down the lane towards the basket and making the kiss off the glass and fouled to complete a three-point play to keep the Blazers out of the spoiler zone.

"I felt like we finally started to find our groove in the first half tonight with everyone healthy," said head coach Chad Dickman. "But we definitely got complacent in the second half and it almost came back and bit us."
 
"We know we gotta start putting 40 minutes together asap. This is a huge stretch coming up."
 
Analysis

Blazers' field goal percentage went from 46 percent in first half to 34 percent.

Hood hit nine threes in the first half and just under 45 percent, that efficiency dropped to 21 percent in the second half.
 
For the Opponent

Cameron Smith scored 27 and grabbed 12 boards.

Ronald Ayers scores 24 and drains five threes.
 
Notes
 
Hood improves to 15-7, and 8-3 in conference and keeps them at the No. 3 seed in the playoff picture.
 
Stevenson drops to 8-14, 2-9 in conference fighting to keep from the bottom of the conference standings.
  
Up Next

The squad will celebrate Garrett Cox (Glen Allen, VA/Glen Allen), Garrison Linton (New Market, Md./Oakdale), Troy Fulton (Denver, N.C./Lincoln Charter School) and Will Spencer (Davidsonville, Md./Boys' Latin School) for Senior Day this Saturday, February 15 with a 3 p.m. tip-off following the women's game. Senior Day festivities will happen during pregame.