WEST POINT — Tanner Rusk sank a 3-pointer only five seconds in, West Point piled on another 12 unanswered points over the next two minutes, and the Warriors never looked back in a 68-23 runaway Tuesday night against Good Hope.

Rusk racked up 10 points not even halfway into the first quarter and finished with a game-high 16. Seth Parker (12 points) and Andrew Shaw (11) also cracked double digits for West Point, which has won two in a row after dropping the previous six straight.

“We came out with a lot of energy that we definitely haven’t had,” Rusk said. “That’s why we’ve been on the losing streak.”

Alex Hernandez and Brandon Farley aided the county victory with nine and eight points, respectively. Five different players for the home team made at least one 3-pointer — Shaw topped the list with three — and nine different Warriors touted at least two points. Parker was also rather effective in the block department.

West Point improved to 3-7, a record Rusk doesn’t feel is quite as bad as it looks.

“I think a few breaks this way, that way could easily be …” the senior trailed off. “I mean, Holly Pond, they’re good, but I feel like other than them and Cullman, it could’ve been either way.”

Matt Cofer was Good Hope’s high scorer with seven points. Kallen Sharpton tacked on six and stood tall for a number of swats. 

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Varsity Girls

Good Hope 62, West Point 42

Firsts and seconds apparently weren’t enough for Kate Kent over the Thanksgiving break.

The Raiders fed the 6-1 sophomore time and time again in the post on Tuesday — and she ate, feasting down low for 20 points in a dominating performance.

Kelly Pickett (11 points), Kaylee Maddox (10) and Miriam Oldacre (10) rounded out a quartet of Good Hope girls in double figures. Kyler Hembree joined Kent and Maddox as forces around the basket in a six-point display.

Any traces of drama were quickly erased when the Raiders opened the second half on an 8-0 run.

“We just try to work the floor and take what we’re given. Just get out there and play hard, always get after it,” Kent said of Good Hope’s gameplan. “The other team hustled really hard also. They put up big competition and made us run for our money. It was a good game.”

As expected, Kent didn’t take all the credit for her sensational showing. She was quick to heap praise on a certain set of teammates that put most of her scoring plays in motion.

“I would be nothing if I didn’t have my guards,” she said. “They’re so important, you have no idea.”

The triumph bumped the Raiders to 5-5 with their area debut looming Friday at home against J.B. Pennington.

“Every game’s a new experience. I think we’re going to be really good by the end of it,” Kent said. “It’s just we’re young. We’re coming together. We’re getting there.”

Madison Roberts and Jeri Beasley led the Warriors with nine points apiece. All of Beasley’s production came from behind the arc.

Olivia Ball tossed in two 3’s of her own shortly before halftime and ended the evening with seven points.

West Point will begin its area schedule Friday at Russellville.