LOST CREEK -- Jason Grimmett had a solid all-around performance to lead South Harrison to a 64-42 victory over Valley Wetzel in the season opener for both teams Wednesday night.
Grimmett, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, had 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals for the Hawks.
It was Grimmett's excellent play in the first quarter that sparked the Hawks to a big lead.
After the Lumberjacks scored the first four points of the game, South Harrison made its first nine shots from the floor to go on a 19-2 run and take a 19-6 lead.
Grimmett led the way with seven points and two assists, while Jason Myers and Scott Wallace each added four inside points.
The Hawks led 21-9 after one period and Wallace converted two more inside field goals to give SH a 25-9 lead with 6:46 left in the second quarter.
South Harrison continued its impressive play to take a 33-13 advantage with 2:44 left until halftime.
"I thought we did a very good job of pressuring (Valley-Wetzel) and keeping the tempo to our style," South Harrison coach Robert Shields said.
That's when Valley Wetzel began a 18-0 run over the remainder of the second quarter and halfway through the third quarter to close the gap to two, 33-31 with four minutes remaining.
Clinton Carlitz led the charge with eight points for the Lumberjacks.
However, the Hawks regrouped as Matt Boring came off the bench to score four points over the remainder of the period to give SH a 41-31 lead entering the fourth period.
The Hawks then put the game away, with Grimmett pouring in nine points and Myers adding six inside points.
Myers and Wallace were very important players in the paint for the Hawks as they both scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
"Jason and Scott did a nice job inside and that's the kind of play we need," Shields said.
Carliz led the Lumberjacks with 17 points and nine rebounds. Andy Brown followed with 10 points, while Steven Lemasters added nine points.
