HOLLY POND — Drew Jones doesn’t apologize for his unconventional shooting style. He also didn’t take complete credit for all the points it produced in Holly Pond’s 68-54 win over West Point Tuesday night.

The sophomore sizzled with six 3-pointers for 18 points, none more important than the trio that came unanswered during the Broncos’ 18-0 run to end the third quarter. The Warriors had closed the gap to 42-40 before the flurry, which included contributions from Matt Cahoon and Austin Smith.

“When my teammates find me and I’m spotting up where I want to be, I think I can knock it down,” Jones said. “Bailey (Smith) and Cody (Jones) did a great job finding me. They’re the ones who set me up. I give them all the credit for finding me and letting me hit that trey ball.”

And as for his wacky shot, which leaves spectators astonished at every gym he goes?

“It’s messed up. I’ll admit that,” Jones said with a sly smile. “But whatever works. If it goes in, it goes in.”

Baskets from behind the arc weren’t just going in for one Bronco, either. Smith made three to round out a game-high, 22-point performance, and Cahoon tickled the twine on two en route to a 16-point evening.

Smith was happy to put Holly Pond’s sloppy season opener against Cullman in the past. He was even more content with starting off his senior year in Felton Easterwood Gymnasium on the right foot, though.

“I was very motivated, especially it being my first last home game,” Smith said. “Playing in front of the home crowd, you can’t let ’em get any momentum.”

Other scorers for the Broncos (1-1) were Cody Jones, five points; Bailey Smith, four; and Landen Walker, three.

West Point coach Randy Jones was far from down on his squad’s effort, despite the final outcome. With seven of nine kids fresh off the school’s best football team since 2004 — and a 10th, Bryant Farley, recovering from an injury suffered in the first round of the playoffs — the Warriors were competitive and had the lead at three different points in the first half.

Jones gave kudos to Holly Pond for hitting “some 3’s” but couldn’t help but wonder how different the second half would’ve been if his team was already in basketball condition.

Tanner Rusk, one of the two who wasn’t on the gridiron, led West Point with 15 points. Will Wrenn and Ryder Jones tossed in 13 and 10, respectively.

“That was an exhibition for us. We’ve got to get all those bruises gone from football,” coach Jones said with a laugh. “I think they got those 3’s because our legs kind of got weary a little bit out of halftime. It’s just going to take awhile to transition to basketball.”

Levi Laney chipped in seven points, Riley Voce added five, and Kobe Smith and Jacob Daniel were each good for two.

Varsity Girls

% Holly Pond 79, West Point 51: Seven players helped the Lady Broncos build a big first-quarter lead they ultimately never relinquished.

Holly Pond (2-0) jumped out to a 26-5 advantage after just eight minutes before staving off a comeback effort from Mallory Walker and the Warriors.

Walker, whose senior debut was comically delayed when she realized not long before tip-off that she’d grabbed the wrong-colored jersey, sparked West Point with 16 second-quarter points. Ruth Horton and Kaitlyn Stephens only let the Warriors cut the deficit to as few as 11 points, though, draining back-to-back treys to put Holly Pond back up by a comfortable margin shortly before halftime.

West Point, in its first game under coach John Welborn, never truly threatened again.

Sophomore tandem Taylor Tankersley and Horton paced the Lady Broncos’ offensive explosion with 19 and 14 points, respectively. Stephens and and Meg Gambrill were next in line with 11 and 10, followed by Abby Gambrill and Adair Gillilan, eight apiece; Melissa Clingman, five; and Molly Gambrill, four.

Tankersley’s outing was anchored by a trio of 3-pointers. Stephens and Abby Gambrill each sank two.

Walker, who also made three treys, led all scorers with 28 points. She would’ve preferred to leave the gym with a win but settled for a funny story instead.

“First basketball game as a senior, and I couldn’t even start,” she said. “My team made me feel better by wearing their sweatpants in warmups with me, though.”

Tanner Quick and Jeri Beasley both scored six points, Tess Hembree tacked on five, and Lexi Bell and Lexie Burdette each had three.