The Bryant boys basketball team has never had any intention of being a two-man show.
But last year, the Hornets relied mostly on team leaders Kevin Hunt and Romen Martin for their scoring.
Hunt finished last season with 15 points per game and was named 7A All-State and All-Conference. Martin was named All-Conference after averaging 14 points.
Bryant’s record reflected the two-man show as they finished 14-13 overall and 8-5 in the conference, for a third-place finish.
This year, however, Bryant has transformed into a more well-rounded program, getting contributions from unlikely sources.
“We never wanted to be about two people,” Abrahamson said. “At times, that is what we had to be.
“But everybody on the court is a threat to score.”
On Tuesday, during a game in which Martin and Hunt were held to just 10 combined points, junior Calvin Allen came through with a season-high 17 points and Lowell Washington added 16 points and eight rebounds, as the Hornets defeated Russellville 57-43.
“(Allen) had a great game last night,” Abrahamson said. “He has been playing better lately.”
Abrahamson said Allen tore his meniscus at the end of the summer and missed about three months.
“It has taken him a while to get in shape and get comfortable, because he missed so much,” Abrahamson said. “He has really played well lately. He stepped up big for us last night.”
Washington finished the night 8 of 11 from the floor.
“He was awesome,” Abrahamson said. “He really made some big plays."
Russellville escapes Bryant's upset bid
Bryant had a chance to knock off league leading Russellville on Tuesday but came up short as the Lady Hornets fell 54-50 at the new Cyclone Arena.
“Our kids competed very well,” Bryant Head Coach Brad Matthews said. “Russellville is very talented.
“We put ourselves in a position, on the road, to have a chance to win. Unfortunately, we came up short.”
With 3:45 left, Bryant and Russellville were tied 45-45 after the Lady Cyclones had trailed much of the second half.
Russellville, which came into the game with a 13-1 record, pushed out to a 52-47 lead in the late going.
With 43 seconds left, Bryant sophomore Raija Todd knocked down a long 3-pointer that had the Lady Hornets within two points.