UTICA — Before the snow started falling in Utica, it was raining 3’s in the high school gym.
At one point, the Utica Redskins went 6-for-8 from the three-point line to jump to a big early lead. The ’Skins then held on late for a 63-56 win over the River View Black Bears in nonconference action on Tuesday.
Utica (8-3) never lost the lead in the game. The team jumped to an early 7-0 lead in the first, with all points scored by Nate Wyscarver.
But the second period belonged to Luke Holmes.
The Utica junior scored 12 points in the period alone, including a pair of 3-pointers. At one point, Holmes hit four straight shots. He would end the night with a game-high 25 points.
“I was just feeling it. I wanted the ball,” said Holmes. “Everyone else did their part, too. We were getting open shots, and they just started falling.”
“Luke, early on, really sparked us,” said Utica head coach Brian Radabaugh. “He did an outstanding job. And a lot of that goes to the other players who recognized that and did a good job in looking for him.”
Holmes wasn’t alone in his efforts. Teammate Broc Stradley had two treys of his own. Buckets by Wyscarver and Sam Preston made it a 23-point period for the Redskins, giving them a 33-26 lead going into the break.
