Hornets Hammer A-J, Hold On At Carlyle

By Travis Volz

A huge game by senior Troy Pedtke helped the Nashville Hornets tame the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats 65-41 Friday night at Assembly Hall.

Pedtke made his first start a memorable one, pouring in 25 points to lead his team to a lopsided win against a River-to-River Conference foe. He was starting in place of Hunter Cooper, who had an interview and college visit Friday night.

Nashville coach Brad Weathers said that he had seen what Pedtke could do in practice, and that it was just a matter of confidence for the senior.

“He got a couple of looks early, and he drained them,” Weathers said. “He had a great night for us, and that helped us get off to a great start.”

Pedtke scored ten of those points in the first quarter, including a pair of three-pointers, and the Hornets were off and running.

The Wildcats were unable to mount much of a challenge against the home team, as Nashville built a 36-11 lead through the first two quarters.

Despite such a dominant performance in the first half, Weathers knew A-J was capable of making a run.

“I told the kids that when they (Anna-Jonesboro) played Pinckneyville, they were down by 18 points heading into the fourth quarter and were able to cut it down to two,” he said. “They are very capable of putting points on the board.”

But the Hornets’ defense stayed strong, and the Wildcats were unable to mount a charge.

Newman scored a dozen points to back up Pedtke’s big game, and Brady Bultman added seven more. Dylan Mueller, Hayden Heggemeier and Ryan Brink chipped in five points apiece.

Another fast start helped Nashville win at Carlyle Saturday by a score of 61-54.

Pedtke had another good night, knocked down three three-pointers in the first quarter to help his team build a six-point lead over the Indians.

That lead held out, as Carlyle played the Hornets close over the final three quarters before losing by seven.

Four Nashville players scored in double figures, paced by Newman’s 14 points. Daniel Thorson scored 12, Pedtke had 11 and Mueller scored ten in a balanced offensive performance.

The Hornets (22-2) are in the home stretch of the regular season. They travel to Sparta Friday before taking part in the Rich Herrin Shootout in benton Saturday.