varsity.roanoke.com

You never get a second chance to make a first impression and Hidden Valley didn't need one.

All five Titans starters scored in the first four minutes of Wednesday night's game against visiting William Byrd, giving Hidden Valley a 14-0 lead. That head start turned out to be just about the difference as Hidden Valley prevailed 71-55.

Hidden Valley coach Troy Wells was pleased but not complacent.

"We're still working hard and I feel like we're getting better," said Wells, whose team has now posted back-to-back victories to raise its record to 4-7. "But we've got to cut down on our turnovers and shoot better from the free-throw line to compete when we open district play Friday night against Blacksburg."

Wells winced as his team's big leads in the first (21-4) and third quarters (55-36) dwindled when Byrd responded with scoring bursts.

"I think sometimes when kids get a big lead they relax and don't play as hard," Wells said. "We've got to work on maintaining consistency."

The Titans shot better from the floor (26-of-41, 63.4 percent) then they did from the charity stripe (18-of-31, 58.1 percent). Of course, many of Hidden Valley's field-goal attempts were from much closer than 15 feet. The Titans' zone trap press repeatedly forced turnovers and created easy shots.

In the third period, Hidden Valley made 11 of 13 shots from the floor and scored 25 points.

"We played like a team," said Titans guard Zach Barrett, who led his team with 21 points, including 10 each in the first and third quarters. "We got after it defensively. We made a lot of steals and that led to transition baskets. We hit the open man."

Barrett's fellow starters Andrew Morris (15 points), Greg Coots (12), Chad Earhart (11) and Matt Aiken (eight) also contributed significantly. Earhart also had 11 assists, five rebounds and six steals.

Byrd knocked off Hidden Valley 43-39 in Vinton in December, but injuries sidelined Barrett and Coots in that contest. They combined for 33 points Wednesday, and their team's scoring was 32 points greater.

"They were a different team that night," acknowledged Byrd coach David Culicerto, who saw his Terriers close the original deficit of 14 to four points (28-24, just before halftime) and cut Hidden Valley's 18-point lead late in the game to 11 (66-55) with 1:32 left. "We got behind early and had to play catch up. I applaud our team for its effort."

Byrd (4-8) was paced by Jake Mankin and Andrew Vest, who each scored 11, while Frank Miller added 10.

WILLIAM BYRD (4-8)

Mattox 0 0-0 0, Palmer 3 0-0 8, Brugh 3 0-0 7, Miller 5 0-1 10, Zimmerman 0 1-2 1, Mankin 3 5-5 11, Vest 4 2-2 11, Conner 2 0-0 5, Slone 1 0-0 2, Hayden 0 0-0 0, Trent 0 0-0 0, Johnson 0 0-0 0, Hammond 0 0-0 0, Pearson 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 8-10 55.

HIDDEN VALLEY (4-7)

Barrett 8 5-8 21, Coots 4 4-10 12, Earhart 5 1-2 11, Aiken 3 2-2 8, Morris 4 6-7 15, Rowe 1 0-0 2, Trampe 1 0-0 2, Worrell 0 0-2 0, Hans 0 0-0 0, Yim 0 0-0 0, Martin 0 0-0 0, Richmond 0 0-0 0, Lucas 0 0-0 0. Totals 26 18-31 71.

William Byrd 7 17 12 19 -- 55

Hidden Valley 21 11 25 14 -- 71

3-point goals William Byrd 5 (Palmer 2, Conner, Brugh, Vest), Hidden Valley 1 (Morris). Total fouls William Byrd 22, Hidden Valley 13. Fouled out Palmer. Technical foul Coach Culicerto. JV -- Hidden Valley, 58-36.