* Judges rout Cougars, advance to semifinals

By Bobby Herrell -- Daily Sports Correspondent

WINCHESTER -- The Handley Judges got back to "playing the way they should," according to coach Tommy Dixon, and came away with a 59-37 victory in the quarterfinals of the Northwestern District Tournament over a young Kettle Run team.

"They got after it better tonight than they have in quite some time," Dixon said, alluding to his team's up-tempo, pressure game.

The Judges did just that, jumping out to a 18-8 first quarter lead behind the hot hand of Danziel Cartwright, who had 11 of his game-high 17 in that period.

But defense set the tone for the game, with Handley picking up full court, as usual, for the entire game. Cartwright aided that defense with seven steals for the night, while Tylon Raynor chipped in with four blocks.

The second quarter found the Cougars being outscored again by eight. Handley's Vance Washington lead the way in this stanza with seven of his 11 points and a couple steals.

"Different people stepping up makes us a very difficult team to play against," Dixon said.

Raynor stepped up, making the third his to the tune of eight points. He also had two of his blocks and a steal in the period.

Robert Galloway made his contribution with four of his seven rebounds from the offensive end.

"It all comes down to being aggressive and not losing the possession, it's what coach tells us all the time and it's our game," said Galloway, who got in a little foul trouble early on. "It wasn't a factor because of the play we get off the bench,the guys have been doing it all year long."

The Judges emptied the bench in the final period and Kettle Run outscored them 13-8. Conner Massei led the Cougars with 10 points, including 4-for-4 night from the line. Kettle Run's big man, Brian Mills, fouled out in the quarter, but the game was long over. Mills finished with eight points.