HUNTSVILLE | Senior Kayleb Woodward had a career game here Tuesday (Dec. 6), with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
Both were career highs for Woodward, as Scott High took Kingston to the wire in a game featuring two teams with first-year head coaches.
Ultimately, though, Kingston escaped with a 70-64 win — and did it largely through its pressure defense that its coach, Joe Layne, is known for.
Scott handled Kingston's defensive pressure well in the first half, and built an 11-point lead late in the second quarter. But as fatigue mounted in the third quarter, Kingston was able to rally, and forced the Highlanders into numerous turnovers.
Ultimately, the Highlanders committed 16 turnovers, but most of those came in the second half.
Still, Scott was able to score 64 points after struggling to score for three consecutive games. In addition to Woodward's team-high 18, Grey Todd finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Toby Garrett had 11.
The free throw line was a big story. Scott finished just 9 of 21 from the line, for 43%. That was a big factor in Kingston being able to escape with the win.
Scott Jeffers and Garrett each had three assists to lead the Highlanders in that category. Jeffers and Skye Babb each had two steals.
Scott coach Rusty Yaden opted to shorten his rotation, using just six players most of the way. Brady Strunk came off the bench to score six points and pull down five rebounds.
SCOTT (64): Woodward 18, Todd 17, Garrett 11, Babb 7, Strunk 6, Jeffers 5.
KINGSTON (70): Layne 23, Clifton 14, Dryman 9, Brown 6, Jones 5, Raymer 5, Mioduski 4, Guettner 4.
