The Cave Spring scorer’s book lists brothers Brody and Cager Hicks as ‘B’ Hicks and ‘C’ Hicks. Thursday night in the Knight’s gym, both got an ‘A’.
The two sons of Cave Spring head coach Billy Hicks each poured in 20 points as the Knights dispatched Northside 68-56 in non-district basketball.
Northside stayed close for most of the game, still facing a short roster from the effects of several basketball players competing in the Northside football run to the state championship.That left Viking head coach Billy Pope scrambling for a starting five.
“We had eight tonight and it went to seven when Matt (Culicerto) went down,” Pope noted outside the Viking locker room. “We had four sophomores on the court at times, but they produced and got valuable experience. Losing Matt hurt because he’s a vocal leader. But, it’s part of the game. We’re not making excuses.”
“Hat’s off to Northside,” Billy Hicks said. “They were way short-handed. When Billy Pope is on the other bench, you know you’re in for a battle.”
Cave Spring used an early 7-point scoring burst by Brody Hicks to lead 17-13 after the first quarter. The Knights went to a full court press to move to a 28-20 advantage midway through the second before Northside finished with a 3-pointer by J.D. Mundy to complete a 7-0 run that cut the Viking deficit to 28-27 heading to the locker room.
“It was ugly tonight,” Hicks added. “We didn’t finish in the first half.”
Northside opened the second half with a 6-1 run to take a 33-29 lead before the Hicks brothers turned the tide. Brody hit a 3-pointer to give Cave Spring its first lead of the second half, 36-35. Moments later, Cager hit from behind the arc to make it 39-35. The Knights never trailed the rest of the way as Northside got no closer than five down the stretch.
“We played well in the second half, ” Billy Hichs pointed out. “We started moving the ball well and that made the difference.”
Cave Spring 6’6″ sophomore Adam Sledd added 16 points and 12 rebounds to join Brody Hicks’ 11 rebounds for the pair’s double-double performance.
Senior Daniel Brammer led Northside with 17 points, while Mundy, Daniel Palmieri and George Bright each chipped in 9 points for the Vikings.
– Bill Turner
