WHITES CREEK — A sluggish start ultimately proved costly for the Community Vikings in Saturday night’s Region 4-AA quarterfinal match up at Whites Creek.
The Cobras held the Vikings to just two points in the opening frame and exploded in the fourth quarter to end the Vikings’ season with a 62-42 win to advance to the region quarterfinals.
Landon Lovvorn accounted for the only basket of the opening quarter for the Purple and Gold, but it was no offensive masterpiece for the Cobras in the opening frame, either.
Whites Creek managed just eight points, but six came from Eric Bryson, who knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the opening quarter.
Whites Creek led just 8-2 after the first quarter and the two teams kept it relatively close on the scoreboard through the second period as well.
Whites Creek added 14 more points, with Tyrone Robertson knocking down two more three-pointers for the hosts, while Community spread 10 points among four players, with Ramone Hernandez knocking down a pair of baskets.
The biggest point differential came in the third quarter when Whites Creek went on a 15-7 run, once again relying on timely three-point shooting.
Memontae Daly and Eric Bryson both hit from the perimeter, while Community managed just seven points.
It wasn’t until Cole Crockett got hot in the fourth quarter that Community’s offense started to click.
He was able to draw several fouls and get to the line, where he went 4-of-4 at the charity stripe and knocked down a three-pointer.
Lovvorn also started knocking down a few shots and added seven points, including a three-pointer.
But even though the Vikings were able to muster up 23 points, Whites Creek closed the game with a 25-point effort to secure the 20-point win.
In total, Whites Creek connected on eight three-pointers in the win over Community.
Crockett and Lovvorn led the Vikings with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Community 2 10 7 23 — 42
Whites Creek 8 14 15 25 — 62

Community: Cole Crockett 13, Landon Lovvorn 11, Ramone Hernandez 7, Maki Fleming 6, Jacob Flanagan 3, Jason Cullen 2.
Whites Creek: Tyrone Robertson 16, Eric Bryson 12, Thad Hunter 9, Kemontae Daly 9, Kevin Wiggins 9, Andreas Hathaway 4, Malachi Benton 2, Darron Jennings.
3-Point goals: Whites Creek (8): Robertson 4, Bryson 3, Daly; Community (2): Crockett, Lovvorn.
Halftime score: Whites Creek 22, Community 12.