Hawks fend off Hornets

~ Kelly held on to knock off Advance 58-53 in the ninth-place game.

The Kelly Hawks avoided a slow start, a problem that had plagued them earlier in the tournament, and defeated Advance 58-53 on Saturday to capture the consolation championship at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

"It feels good to get something out of it," Kelly guard Levi Felter said. "We won three in a row. That's the first time we've done that all year."

Felter and Josh DeBrock teamed up on an eight-point run to put lift Kelly from a one-point deficit to a 55-48 lead late in the game.

DeBrock finished with 26 points, while Felter had 11.

Advance's Nate Middleton drove past Kelly's Josh DeBrock during the first quarter Saturday. (Kit Doyle)

The Hawks raced to a 15-2 lead to start the game, but Advance rallied in the second quarter behind the play of sophomore Matt Ware. The 6 foot 3 post player, who did not see action in the first quarter, neutralized Kelly's rebounding advantage and put up 11 points in the period.

After heading into halftime down four points, the Hornets took a one-point advantage into the final period with their pressure defense.

Kelly coach Nathan Wills said he thought his team began to fatigue in the second half due to the tournament's schedule, which required teams to play four games in the four days immediately after Christmas.

Felter, though, seemed to get better at the end of the game. He scored nine points in the final period, and, with his team up by two points and 1:35 left, the junior made a spectacular play to pad the lead.

Just as a three-quarter court pass looked as though it would sail over his head and out of bounds, he was able to get his hand on the ball and hit DeBrock with a perfect touch pass. DeBrock was fouled as he laid the ball in the basket and converted the free throw.

Jacob Bond was Advance's leading scoring with 16 points, while Ware finished with 15.

Kelly 17 10 9 22 -- 58

Advance 8 15 14 16 -- 53

Kelly (58) -- Ryan Essner 3, Chris Cooper 8, Josh DeBrock 26, Levi Felter 11, Josh Rodgers 6, Zach Essner 2, Eric Turley 2. FG 23, FT 8-13, F 11 (3-pointers: R. Essner 1, Cooper 1, DeBrock 1, Felter 1. Fouled out: none.)

Advance (53) -- Luke Steil 2, Nate Middleton 3, David VanGennip 9, Cody VanGennip 2, Blake Seabaugh 2, Jacob Bond 16, Cody Mitchell 2, Matt Ware 15, Chris Welch 2. FG 23, FT 6-7, F 12 (3-pointers: McAlister 1. Fouled out: none)