Larkin routs Woodstock

In a blink of an eye, the game between Larkin and Woodstock went from a closely contested game to a blow out.

Leading 17-15 with 4:33 left in the first half, Larkin ripped off 19 straight points and turned a 2-point lead into a 21-point 36-15 advantage in a 3 minute, 33 second span.

Game over.

The result was an easy 69-29 win for the Royals over Woodstock in an opening round game of the Hoops for Healing boys basketball tournament held at Woodstock High School’s Shipley Gymnasium Monday night.

It was the season opener for both teams.

“We called a timeout in the second quarter because we weren’t playing very good defense and I didn’t say much,” said Larkin coach Deryn Carter. “They talked the entire time and came out and played great on both ends of the floor.”

During the pivotal 19-point swing, Larkin connected on 8-of-10 shots from the floor and connected on all 3 shots from beyond the arc. Quentin Ruff led the Royals during the outburst with 8 points including a pair of 3-pointers while Derrick Streety scored 5 including a trey and Dan McFadden provided the inside presence for the Royals with a pair of putbacks.

Larkin was just as dominant on the defensive end holding the Blue Streaks without a point for over 3 minutes. During that span, Woodstock misfired on all 12 shots and was 0-of-8 from 3-point land. The Blue Streaks also committed 9 turnovers.

“The timeout was good,” said Ruff. “We came out firing and played good defense.”

Leading 36-19 at halftime, the Royals came out of the locker room blazing and put the game out of reach. With Ruff knocking down a pair of treys, Larkin scored the first 7 points of the half and led 43-19 with 5:55 left in the third.

Ruff led the Royals with 14 points including four 3-pointers while McFadden scored 12 with 9 rebounds and Quantice Hunter tallied 10 with 4 assists.

“It was a good first game,” said Carter. “We did a great job playing inside-outside basketball and we hit some 3s. Our defense was very good. We have 10 to 11 kids who can play and we can hold accountable for their action. We certainly have some quality depth. It is a nice situation to have.”

Woodstock, which made only 10-of-50 shots for 20 percent and committed 28 turnovers, was led by Brad Lorr with 8 points.