By Mike Wertman<br><a href="mailto:mike.wertman@journal-register.com">E-mail Mike</a>
HOLLEY — HOLLEY — Trailing 38-26 at the three-quarter mark, the host Hawks exploded for 32 points in the final period to defeat Northstar 58-51 Tuesday in the championship game of the annual Holley Tournament.
Brian Mitchell scored 16 of his game high 22 points to lead Holley’s big stretch run. Chad Barhydt and Jeff Lutes both added five and Guy Hills four.
John Penna hit a clutch basket with 1:30 remaining to put Holley on top to stay at 53-51. The Hawks then closed out the win at the foul line. Mitchell went 5 of 6, Barhydt 3 of 4 and Lutes 2 for 2 from the line in the decisive final period.
“These guys have been with me since they were sophomores so they are experienced played now,” Holley coach Chad DeRock said. “Last year we would have let this one slip away but now they know how to win. We made some key shot and put on good ball pressure down the stretch.”
Barhydt, who earned tourney MVP honors, finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Lutes and Mitchell were both named to the All-Tournament team.
Chris Valenti, who also earned a spot on the All-Tournament team, led Northstar with 14.
Northstar led by a narrow 21-19 margin at the half but used a 17-7 third period surge to open up the 12 point, 38-26, advantage.
Holley is now 6-1.
In the semifinals on Monday, Holley used big scoring bursts in both the first and second quarters to key a 52-36 victory over rival Kendall.
Holley used a 12-2 surge to take a 14-11 first quarter lead as Barhydt netted six of his game high 12 points during that stretch.
Kendall did cut the deficit to one, 18-17, midway through the second quarter on back-to-back three-point hots by Trevor Yantz and Matt Langdon. However, Holley answered with a big 16-2 run to close the period and open up a commanding 15 points, 34-19, advantage at the half. Penna scored six and Barhydt four to lead that surge.
The Hawks enjoyed a commanding 21 point, 45-24, lead at the three-quarter mark.
Colt Tooley led Kendall with 10 points.
