Bob Jones Girls advance with big playoff win over Decatur
Bob Jones used equal parts three point shooting and stingy defense to dominate Decatur in the first game of the area tournament. By the time it was over the Lady Patriots had posted a 60-17 win and will face Austin in the Area 15 Tournament final Saturday night at 7 p.m.
The pressure defense of Bob Jones forced 25 Decatur turnovers, most of which were turned into points. One of the defensive stars for Bob Jones was Tierra Jones who drew two charging fouls on Decatur in the first quarter as the Red Raiders were held scoreless for the first 7 minutes of the game.
“It is important to be in position because that is one thing Coach Miller stresses,” Jones said. “I just held my position and they made contact and I got the call.”
The defensive intensity seemed to ignite the offense. Lindsey Jennings scored the first points of the game for Bob Jones on a drive and layup. When she wasn’t driving and scoring she was running the fast break. Kati Colson got an assist from Jennings and hit a lay up to make it 10-0.
Decatur was held to single digits scoring in each quarter and they trailed 10-5 after one but that was as close as the game would be because Bob Jones was about to get hot. China Leary started the second quarter with two 3-point shots and a layup to make it 18-5. Tierra Jones got on the scoreboard with a rebound and put back to make it 22-7. Katie Colson dropped in 6 points in the second quarter and a steal and two free throws by Joidan Jennings made it 24-7.
A Jasmine Jones turnaround jump shot in the lane made the score 29-9 at the half. Jones and China Leary each had 8 points in the first half. Jones would finish with a game-high 13 points.
Bob Jones was held scoreless for the first three minutes in the third quarter but Decatur could only muster 2 points themselves. After Jasmine Jones broke the drought with a driving layup, Joidan Jennings took over with two straight steals resulting in a layup and then a 3-point play. Bob Jones went on a 12-1 run to close the third quarter and had a 41-12 lead after three.
Hungry for playing time, there was no letup by the Lady Patriot backups in the fourth quarter. Meredith Lovelady nailed two 3-point baskets and got a steal and layup for her 8 points in the game. Deaisha Campbell returned from a season long ankle injury and saw extensive playing time in the second half. By the time it was over Bob Jones had outscored Decatur 19-5 in the fourth quarter.
The strong showing in the fourth quarter pleased Coach Tim Miller but he was already looking ahead to playing Austin Saturday night.
“When you play a good team like Austin as many times as we have played them it gets more difficult every time to beat them. Teams figure out what your weaknesses are,” Miller said.
Bob Jones has played Austin three times this season and won the games by an average margin of 19 points. Austin beat Florence 65-44 in the first game of the area tournament.
Regardless of the opponent the players are just glad the playoffs are finally here.
“It’s just a brand new feeling that this is all that matters,” said Tierra Jones. “All the hard work during the season and this is what counts. It feels good to be back in the playoffs and to feel the pressure that comes with playoff basketball.”
One team Bob Jones will not be facing in the postseason is the Sparkman Senators who were upset in their area tournament by Huntsville in a game played at Buckhorn.
