OLD FORT - Eric Hoover saw a major problem on the floor in the third quarter.
The second-year Old Fort coach got the attention of the official and jogged toward midcourt, where he picked up a piece of gum.
The problem was, the official never called timeout. So when North Baltimore's Tyler Trumbull missed a free throw on an attempted three-point play, the Stockaders and Tigers charged toward Hoover as the coach ran back to the sideline.
"I about pulled a hammy getting off the court," Hoover said.
It was the most danger Old Fort was in all night.
The Stockaders' Cole Davidson had a game-high 28 points, all of which came in the first three quarters. North Baltimore's entire team had 28 after three. The Stockaders won, 100-42, in the Midland Athletic League opener for both teams.
Fact Box
Old Fort 100,
North Baltimore 42
North Baltimore (0-3, 0-1): Gabe De Los Reys 0-0-0; Chase Nichols 1-0-3; Jacob Frost 2-2-6; Jordan Watson 2-3-8; Zach Finkenbiner 2-2-6; Tyler Trumbull 3-2-8; Lane Bishop 0-0-0; Levi Newcomer 1-0-2; Brock Boyer 2-4-9. Totals: 13-13-42.
Old Fort 3-0 (1-0): Dalton Perry 6-0-12; Hunter Perry 10-0-21; Cole Davidson 12-1-28; A.J. Phillimore 7-4-18; Marc Salas 2-0-4; Jordan Bryon 2-0-4; Maison Steyer 3-0-6; Matt Hill 3-1-7. Totals: 45-6-100.
North Baltimore 4 17 5 16 - 42
Old Fort 30 17 40 13 - 100
Field goals: North Baltimore 13-60; Old Fort 45-70
Foul shots: North Baltimore 13-18; Old Fort 6-13.
3-point goals: North Baltimore 3-9 (Nichols, Watson, Boyer); Old Fort 4-13 (Davidson 3, H. Perry).
Rebounds: North Baltimore 24 (Watson 7); Old Fort 37 (Phillimore 9)
Turnovers: North Baltimore 29; Old Fort 15.
"(Davidson) knows how to score, he knows how to put it in the basket. He knew he had an advantage, and he just kept using it," Hoover said. "I wasn't gonna stop him or tell him to slow down."
Davidson wasn't the only one with a prolific offensive night for Old Fort. Hunter Perry had 21 points and A.J. Phillimore had 18 points and nine rebounds. Dalton Perry had 12 points.
North Baltimore coach Jon Eichar said his team had trouble against Old Fort's up-tempo offense and pressure defense.
"Old Fort's got a great team," Eichar said. "They've got speed and quickness, great shooters, good inside play. We just could not get back and stop them. Either they shot a layup or they made a 3 on us."
Old Fort came out executing on offense, as Davidson scored nine first quarter points, and North Baltimore wasn't able to contain the Stockaders on offense or defense. Hunter Perry's deep 3 at the buzzer capped a dominant quarter, and gave Old Fort (3-0) a 30-4 advantage. The Tigers turned the ball over 10 times in the first eight minutes.
"All week in practice, I tried to explain to (my players) how fast and quick they were," Eichar said. "But I couldn't (simulate) that in practice for them. And I think it just shocked them when (Old Fort) came out and had two or three steals right away."
North Baltimore started the second quarter on a 10-2 run. It was just about the only bright spot for the Tigers (0-3), who were outscored, 40-5 in the third quarter.
"We've been working hard on defense, and we do a lot of different things to try to trap in different ways so (opponents) can't get too settled into anything," Hoover said.
As the game wound down, the only drama was whether the Stockaders would score 100. A free throw by Matt Hill allowed Old Fort to reach the mark, and send the student section into a frenzy.
All in all, not a bad MAL start for the Stockaders.
