Bob Jones takes close win over James Clemens
Tanner Finley shoots with Josh Mitchell defending
Opening introductions sounded more like a heavyweight prize fight was about to take place Friday night at James Clemens gym. Fortunately, it was not a fight but the first ever basketball game between the established Bob Jones and newcomer James Clemens.
Despite a poor shooting night from their leading scorer, Bob Jones found enough offense and held back a late rally by James Clemens to win 56-47.
The victory came in front of a crowd estimated at 4,000 fans and students who packed the stands and lined the rails around the Jets home court. The student sections were full and full of life as students from both schools turned out with signs and shouts in unison backing their team.
“Any win is a good win for us this time of year, especially against a good team like James Clemens,” said Bob Jones head Coach Graham Aderholt after leaving an exuberant Patriot locker room.
Aderholt had good reason to be relieved. Bob Jones had only one player scoring in double figures, Ralph Templeton with 11 points. James Clemens was led by former Patriot Jordan Harris with 17 points. Alfonso Johnson had 10 points and point guard Josh Mitchell had 11 points.
Bob Jones grabbed a quick 6-3 lead as the Jets used a full court press that was only marginally successful. Bob Jones would not relinquish the lead the rest of the game despite leading scorer Jamarcus Jones missing his first seven shots. Templeton picked up the scoring slack with eight first half points including a 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the first quarter at 16-10.
A Tanner Finley 3-point shot and Jones’ first basket put the Patriots up 22-14. James Clemens closed to 24-19 at the half.
James Clemens had their best run in the game early in the third quarter. Alfonso Johnson and Josh Mitchell each hit 3 point shots to cut the lead to 28-27, but Ryan Flanagan scored a basket off an inbound pass and Roderick Randolph hit a jumper to extend the Patriots lead to 36-29.
The Patriots continued to spread the scoring. Jonathon Oliver scored seven of his nine points in the third quarter as he battled under the basket and came up with a three point play and a basket after an offensive rebound. The lead was 43-31 after three quarters.
James Clemens forced several turnovers to close the gap in the fourth quarter. The Jets got to within 46-39 on a Jordan Harris 3-point shot. Tanner Finley responded with a three of his own and Dalton Barkley had a basket in the lane before fouling out for Bob Jones. Jamarcus Jones hit four straight free throws in the last minute of the game and finished with nine points.
For Bob Jones, Barkley, Oliver, and Jones finished with nine points each. Tanner Finley and Ryan Flanagan each had six points.
“Ralph played big and made some big shots for us and carried us in the first half,” Aderholt said. “A lot of guys stepped up and made some big shots for us.”
“We are giving up too many offensive rebounds,” Aderholt said. “We have to get better against the pressure defense. That is what teams will start doing to us. If we can limit the turnovers and rebound better then we will be ok.”
Bob Jones (3-2) will play three games against Area 15 teams before the holiday break. First up is Tuesday night at home against Buckhorn. The Patriots will be at Sparkman on December 15 and home against Hazel Green December 18.
James Clemens (4-3) will get into area play at home against Florence on December 14.
