It’s a small window, but Michael Ledford’s quick release seemed to widen it. With his team knotted in a tight battle on the road against Western Albemarle, the Albemarle senior guard poured in five 3-pointers to provide the difference in the Patriots’ 53-47 win on Saturday night.
“It was nice to see him knock those down because we were having a tough time scoring with Western playing great defense as they always do,” said Albemarle coach Greg Maynard of Ledford’s second half spurt. “It was tough to get the ball into the hole at times and I think that helped a lot to loosen it up. And then once we had a good lead, Western would comeback and make it a close game, but Michael would hit another three to put us back out.”
Trailing by a point at the break, Ledford helped the Patriots establish a six-point lead going into the fourth. However after putting together a comeback from down six in the first half, the Warriors looked ready to do so again behind Jake Nidiffer and Will Donnelly. Midway through the fourth, Western made it a 4-point game, but Ledford’s fifth and final field goal from beyond the arc, one that he released almost simultaneously as he received the pass, gave Albemarle all the breathing room it needed.
“I was taught at an early age that you’ve got to shoot it quick, to shoot it before they get after you,” Ledford said. “Our objective on offense is to get the ball to (our players underneath) so when you get the ball back from them it’s a real pleasure to make those shots.”
In the first half the Patriots were carried by the play of junior forwards Kendall Hawkins and Jeremiah Morris. Hawkins scored eight of his team’s 21 to start the game, while Morris was able to come off the bench and attack on mid and long-range jumpers.
Down by four to start the second quarter, Albemarle broke off the biggest run of the game, an 11-1 streak, but Western reclaimed the lead by following up with an 8-2 run to finish the half.
As they tried to claw closer to the lead in the fourth, turnovers and offensive miscues marred any comeback hopes. And in the final two minutes of play the Warriors tried sending the Patriots to the free-throw line, but that was of no help.
“Our effort was better than it had been so I’m pleased to see that,” said Western coach Darren Maynard. “I think our biggest problem right now is execution. The 3-pointers were part of that. We let the one outside shooter we had circled in our scouting report have five 3’s. That’s us not being able to function, but I give (Ledford) credit for being able to knock them down.”
Three different Albemarle players finished in double figures with Leford leading the team with 15 points, all his 3-pointers. Hawkins and Morris, who both battled foul trouble, each finished with 12 points. Mann had seven points to pair up with six rebounds and five assists. Hendrix was also key for Albemarle down low and in the passing game, matching Mann with six boards and five helpers of his own.
For Western, Nidiffer led his team offensively with 14 points and six rebounds. Donnelly scored 11, getting seven of them at the free throw line as he continuously tried to attack the basket off the dribble. Christian Asher finished with seven points and five rebounds.
The Patriots (4-1) head up to play undefeated Mountain View on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Western (2-4) travels to play another close rival, this time in Jefferson District play against Monticello on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
