By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

HOMEWOOD — The final score of the Jan. 2 matchup between Thompson and Homewood looked more like a football score than a basketball one, and for good reason: the Homewood Metro Tournament opener was the definition of a basketball defensive struggle, with points coming at a premium.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, there weren’t enough to be found, as Thompson took the 37-28 loss.

To illustrate how much defense took precedent — and how much time off the clock Homewood’s slow-down offense took — After opening up with two Blake Lewis free throws and a Rashad Strother basket, the Warriors didn’t score again in an 8-4 contest at the end of the first quarter.

The offensive production turned up ever so slightly in the second quarter, with Tavaris Hall nailing two 3-pointers — including a beautiful corner swish — to help cut into the Patriots’ lead. A 6-0 run by Homewood midway through the quarter was enough to keep Thompson at bay, as the Patriots took a 19-14 halftime lead.

Lewis kicked off the second half with a bucket and an and-one free throw to move Thompson to within three at 19-16. Homewood inched away to a 23-17 lead, but the Warriors close the gap again to 23-22 after another Strother basket. Three free throws from the Patriots extended their lead to 26-23 headed into the final quarter of play.

Homewood opened the final quarter of play with an offensive burst, going on a 7-0 run capped off by a 3-pointer from Owen Ferguson (his fourth of the game) gave the Patriots a 33-23 lead. Thompson was able to cut the lead to 35-28, but another Homewood basket put the game on ice, 37-28.

Hall finished with eight points while Strother posted seven while Lewis and Zach Carnes both had five for Thompson.