By Eric Lusk
Sports Editor
elusk@elkintribune.com

BOONVILLE -- Jon Huggins says he usually tries to "whip up" his Forbush boys basketball players heading into a game against county rival Starmount.

But the Falcons head coach opted for a different approach before Thursday's first meeting of the season in Boonville.

"I intentionally tried to downplay it," said Huggins, a longtime Forbush assistant, who took over as the head man last winter. "I told the guys, 'You know, this is just another conference opponent.'

"They didn't believe me of course."

But the Falcons' poise and steadiness in the second half did prove key in holding off the Rams 65-59 amid a frenzied environment. Starmount pulled within one point on five different occasions after the break, but Forbush never let them get any closer.

Huggins' team held on despite committing 18 turnovers in the second half, including one flurry early in the fourth quarter when Starmount's pressing defense forced steals on six straight possessions.

Big man Cody Eller led the way for the Falcons with 20 points, while guard Michael Scott poured in 19. Most importantly, Forbush won for the second time this week against a solid Mountain Valley 1A/2A opponent, improving to 4-2 in the league, 8-6 overall.

"The tough thing is the emotional stuff with this rivalry, but we played smart down the stretch," Huggins said. "Gosh darn, it was a fantastic win."

One that Starmount seemed ready to snatch away several times. The Rams fell behind 52-44 early in the fourth period, but then suddenly Forbush couldn't seem to get the ball past half court.

Jake Barr, who picked off numerous passes for the Rams in football, intercepted a few during the stretch. As did football defensive MVP M.J. Bryant.

The problem was, Starmount couldn't convert on many of its opportunities.

The Rams missed four out of six free throw attempts and had two layups -- though well-contested -- rim out.

Starmount still seemed in business when Dylan Pardue buried a three-pointer to pull the Rams wthin 52-51. But they would not get any closer, even after swiping another steal. Forbush stole it back, and Eller then became a beast inside.

He scored six straight points to push the Forbush lead out to 58-52. From there, it was the same as Forbush's win over Wilkes Central on Tuesday night -- guard the three-point line and make free throws down the stretch.

"We just got too much in a hurry for the most part," Starmount coach Jeffrey Hague said. "We'd get a turnover but we'd get too much in a hurry to try and score. I think the little things are the difference in the ball game. They pretty much killed us on the boards.

"The Eller kid inside -- he's a big kid and a good player -- we just couldn't keep him off the boards."

Though Starmount owned the series with the Falcons for a few seasons during the Victor Davila era, Forbush has now won back-to-back games in Boonville.

Pardue led Starmount with 15 points. Barr finished with 11 points. The Rams missed 11 free throws in the second half.

Both teams will return to conference action tonight (Friday). Forbush will host Alleghany, while Starmount will travel to East Wilkes. Regrouping quickly will be key, both for the winning team and losing team.

"This is the best atmosphere we play in every year, regardless," Huggins said.

Forbush 65, Starmount 59

Thursday • at Boonville

Forbush 12 24 11 18 -- 65

Starmount 21 8 15 15 -- 59

FORBUSH -- Zach Hutchens 2, Matthew Cain 5, Michael Scott 19, Brandon Butner 9, Mahlon Matthews 1, Avery Ravit 9, Cody Eller 20.

STARMOUNT -- Connor Van Hoy 3, Fondae McDaniel 3, Dillon Dobson 7, Jake Barr 11, Dylan Pardue 15, Garrett Johnson 8, Christian Hurt 3, MJ Bryant 5, Jacob Riley 4