Bob Jones basketball teams keep winning
Lindsey Jennings
So much for rebuilding is the theme so far this season for both Bob Jones basketball teams. On Tuesday night, Bob Jones hosted Florence in non-area games and came away with two victories. While the games that count in area play are yet to come, the contests leading up to those are important to build confidence and team work.
The girls’ team won 61-46 with Lindsey Jennings continuing to play at a high level. She led all scorers with 18 points coming both from outside and down low. She also led the team with 6 rebounds. Chandler Elder did most of her scoring from the free throw line hitting 9 of 11 free throws.
The Lady Patriots are now 6-0 and Coach Danny Petty said the success does not surprise him because of the tradition of girl’s basketball at Bob Jones.
“I’m real proud of the girls. We have not played our best basketball yet,” Petty said. “We’re still learning but the effort is good and the attitude has been good. They are working hard and that is all you can ask for.”
As expected, Jennings is doing everything for the Lady Patriots, averaging 18 points per game and 8 rebounds. Tuesday night, a coach from the University of Massachusetts was in attendance as she had one of her best games. She played only 24 minutes as Bob Jones led the whole game.
“She is playing lights out,” Petty said. “She is our floor leader. She is our best rebounder. She can penetrate. She is a great finisher at the basket. And now her outside shot is coming around.”
The Bob Jones boys followed with a double overtime victory over Florence, 73-66.
The back and forth game saw both teams with chances to win the game. Florence led 30-26 at the half and built an eight point lead early in the third quarter. Bob Jones point guard Jamarcus Jones hit a 3-point basket and Roderick Randolph had an offensive rebound and score to tie the game at 35.
Tied at 40 going into the fourth quarter, Ryan Flanigan hit a jumper to put the Patriots up. But turnovers hurt the Patriots as Florence tied the game at 45 heading into overtime.
Florence led most of the first overtime as Chauncey Watkins scored four of his game-high 30 points in the first OT. A Dalton Barclay 3-point play got Bob Jones close and with 6 seconds left, Jones hit a 3-point basket to tie the game at 62.
Bob Jones dominated the second overtime as Florence center Darius Smith fouled out. The Patriots built a lead of 69-62 after Jonathon Oliver rebounded a missed free throw and scored.
Jamarcus Jones led the Patriots with 19 points. He hit three 3-point shots and was 6 of 8 from the free throw line.
Jones, a backup who saw little playing time last year, has emerged as a force on the court. He is shooting an efficient 40% from behind the arc and averaging 19 points per game.
“It’s a big load but we are a good team all together,” Jones said of suddenly being the floor leader.
Jones said he “did a lot of individual workouts this summer with my AAU coach” to prepare for his increased role on the team this season. Jones is a senior and is now 6-foot-1.
Randolph, playing in his first game since football ended, was a major contributor with 10 points. He was a force on the offensive boards with 4 rebounds.
The teams are back in action Friday night at home against Austin. They will play at James Clemens on Friday, December 7 in the first areas games of the season.
“It will be a good atmosphere over there. The players have got a lot of friends playing for James Clemens,” Petty said.
