Gators impressive in tip-off tourney win

BY JOHN DECOSTE

Kings County Register

The host Central Kings D-2 boys’ basketball team turned in an impressive performance in winning their Kings County Honda Tip-Off Tournament last weekend in Auburn.

The tournament was played at the West Kings gym due to a scheduling conflict with the C.K. facility - but it didn’t seem to matter to the Gators, who won all three of their games in relatively easy fashion.

The Gators opened their season Nov. 14 against Kings-Edgehill and romped to a lopsided 102-28 win. Dustin Poirier scored 34 points, Thomas Baltzer 15 and Devin Locke 11.

Later that evening, the Gators took on Park View, a usually-competitive D-1 team. This year’s edition of the Panthers is young and lacks experience, however. It showed, as Central Kings jumped out to a 22-3 lead after one quarter. Park View managed to play the Gators pretty much even for the remainder of the game, but couldn’t overcome the early deficit as C.K. ended up winning 71-49. Poirier again led the way with 28 points, James Nunn added 12 and Baltzer 11.

In their final tournament game, Central Kings took on Halifax Grammar School, also a D-1 team (though admittedly not one of the best). Again, the Gators won convincingly by an 84-49 score. This time, Poirier and Jeremy Shepherd each scored 17 points and Baltzer contributed 15.

Park View finished the tournament with two wins and a loss, losing only to Central Kings. Halifax Grammar ended up 1-2 and Kings-Edgehill was winless at 0-3.