Deondre Douglas looks to pass the ball against Huntsville in Class 7A basketball action. Douglas finished with seven points and six rebounds. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – After starting 3-0, the Bob Jones Patriots varsity basketball team incurred their first loss of the season at home against the Huntsville Panthers on Nov. 21.

The Panthers took advantage of a Bob Jones scoring drought for the first few minutes and went ahead 11-0, which the Patriots finally broke at the 3:49 mark in the first period with two free throws from Ryan Dupree.

Bob Jones made its first field goal with 2:35 to go until the second period.

“[Head coach Graham Aderholt] said just stick to the game plan and do what we do best,” Dupree said. “I think we fought back, had a good chance and at the end just let it slip away.”

Huntsville gave some ground to Bob Jones, leading 15-10 after the first period, but gained it all back with a 35-24 advantage at halftime.

Halftime adjustments yielded some ground for Bob Jones, as the Patriots cut it to a seven-point deficit at 47-40 at the beginning of the fourth period and 56-51 with just over three minutes to play.

The Patriots couldn’t seal the deal and conceded a 64-57 loss.

“The guys played their hearts out; they played hard,” Aderholt said. “I’m proud of them for that.”

Dupree had 13 points on the evening, as did Cameron Phillips. Dupree added four steals.

Senior Dalton Barkley, who signed with the University of Alabama – Huntsville just before the season started, had eight points. Deondre Douglas contributed seven points and six rebounds.

Bob Jones faces Madison County and Columbia High School before Thanksgiving break and will pick back up Dec. 2 against Austin.