West Hernando, Explorer Split

In a hard-fought game between Explorer K-8 and West Hernando Middle School, Explorer's JV team came out strong on its home court with a 21-20 win.
West Hernando (3-6) had a tough time handling the Bobcats (2-6) in the first quarter, with Jakelle Haygood and Josh Russ combining for four points.
Cole Teater started the second quarter with two baskets for the Golden Eagles, tying the score with four minutes left in the half.
West Hernando kicks it up a notch with seven points by Anton Zeytulaev, Cole Teater and Nathan Edwards to take an 11-8 halftime lead.
Though West Hernando maintained its advantage through the third quarter, Explorer charged to victory in the fourth.
"Our second win feels great," Explorer's JV Head Coach Mark Farrell said. "I'm just happy with the playing of the kids, we finally came together."
"We played very well, but they just wanted it more," West Hernando's JV Head Coach Mike Storey said.
Second-quarter surge
In the varsity game, West Hernando fell behind early but rallied behind a 9-0 second quarter en route to a 28-22 triumph.
The Bobcats (1-7) led 9-5 after the first quarter before the Golden Eagles (3-6) opened up a 15-9 lead at the end of the half.
The second half was played evenly, with West Hernando out-scoring Explorer by just one, 14-13.
Jamie Hamby scored 10 points for the Golden Eagles. West Hernando turned back the challenge of the Bobcats' Rivera, who tied Hamby for the game-high in scoring.
"Varsity came out strong in the first quarter but we got tired and our shots fell," said Farrell, filling in for varsity coach Chris Ridenour, who was out sick.
"We worked as one unit, and I think that's what really showed in our game," West Hernando's Varsity Head Coach Genard Hudson said.

JUNIOR VARSITY:
EXPLORER 21, WEST HERNANDO 20
Qtr. Scoring 1 2 3 4
West Hernando: 0 11 9 0-20
Explorer: 4 4 5 8-21
West Hernando (20): Byrd 1 0-0 2, Wyatt 1 0-0 3, Edwards 1 0-1 2, Garcia 1 0-0 2, Teater 4 0-0 8, Zeytulaev 0 3-8 3. Totals 8 3-9 20.
Explorer (21): Haygood 2 0-0 4, Blaylock 2 0-3 4, Russ 3 1-4 7, Ruiz 2 0-0 4, Santos 0 0-2 0, Valentin 1 0-1 2 Ross 0 0-4 0. Totals 10 1-14 21.
Three-point field goals: WH 1 (Wyatt); EXP 0.
Total fouls: WH 14; EXP 9.
Technical fouls: none
Fouled out: none
Records: Explorer (2-6), West Hernando (3-6).

VARSITY:
WEST HERNANDO 28, EXPLORER 22
Qtr. Scoring 1 2 3 4
West Hernando: 5 9 7 7-28
Explorer: 9 0 6 7-22
West Hernando (28): Hamby 5 0-2 10, Daniels 2 0-1 4, Merritt 3 0-0 8, Brooks 2 2-8 6, Kincade 0 0-3 0. Totals 12 2-14 28.
Explorer (22): Lewerenz 1 2-6 4, Rawlins 1 1-6 3, Reynods 2 1-4 5, Rivera 4 0-2 10. Totals 8 4-18 22.
Three-point field goals: WH 2 (Merritt 2); EXP 2 (Rawlins, Rivera).
Total fouls: WH 16; EXP 13.
Technical fouls: Lewerenz (EXP)
Fouled out: none
Records: Explorer (1-7), West Hernando (3-6).