Published: July 24, 2008 07:21 am         

C-U team excels with chemistry

Hard Head tries to defend its title

DANVILLE — When Hard Head Entertainment was being assembled, the possibility of self-destruction loomed as even the smallest glitch could have ruined what otherwise has turned out to be a dynamic combination of players.

While many of the team’s members play together during the school season, some attend rival schools. But the fact that they compete against each other on a regular basis has actually helped.

And perhaps that hasn’t been more evident than in the defending Junior Dustbowl champions’ 87-66 semifinal win over Leisure Travel on Wednesday.

“It’s fun because we know what each other can do by watching game film and everything,” said former Champaign Centennial standout Jerry Exum. “We’re just really trying to have fun, leaving our rivalries back at home.”

Exum, who began his high school career at Champaign Central before transferring to Urbana and eventually Centennial, combined with former Central Maroon Jordan Walker to score 25 points in the first half.

Hard Head Entertainment led 50-27 at the break largely as a result of a 10-0 run late in the half after jumping out to a 13-0 lead at the beginning of the game.

The lead allowed them to loosen up a little as the game went on and ultimately put on a show for the fans in attendance.

“It was fun getting back out there on the court and playing as a team, a unit,” said Walker, who currently attends Chicago Hales Franciscan. “Everybody on the bench got in. Everybody is a piece of the game.”

Exum scored a team high 20 points, Walker followed with 19, and James Kinney added 12.

Leisure Travel’s Tyler Price led all scorers with 22 points, including six threes. Five of his long-range shots came in the first half when Leisure Travel was attempting to cut its deficit. But not even three consecutive treys at the close of the half were enough to overcome the scoring duo of Exum and Walker.

“Once upon a time, they talked about all of them going to the same school, but then they decided to split up to give everyone something to watch,” said Hard Head Entertainment coach Bill Dixon. “To bring them together during the summer time, this is what they love.”

Dixon plans to take Hard Head Entertainment to at least a few more tournaments this summer with St. Louis being its next stop.

Hard Head Entertainment will face D & D Construction in Sunday’s Junior Dustbowl Championship game at 2:20 p.m.

In a consolation bracket semifinal game, Team Indiana defeated Boys & Girls Club 63-54 to advance to tonight’s Consolation Championship game at 10:30 p.m.

Alexander Hutson scored a game high 21 points for Team Indiana and was supported by 14 points from Logan Finney, 11 from Colten Craigan, and nine from John Elrod. DeBrion Wheeler led Boys & Girls Club with 16 points.