Bob Jones goes overtime to defeat James Clemens
Dalton Barkley (35) and Trey Calloway led Bob Jones to a win Friday night photo by Lindsay Vaught
It was a rematch the James Clemens Jets had been pointing toward but it was Bob Jones players and fans who celebrated Friday night on the Patriots home floor after a 76-67 overtime win. Bob Jones is now 3-0 against their crosstown rivals.
Bob Jones students flooded the court to celebrate with the team and hoisted Ryan Flanigan on their shoulders. Flanigan scored the clinching basket in overtime but it was sophomore big man Dalton Barkley whose 15 third–quarter points staked Bob Jones to a big lead. Then his five points in overtime sealed the win.
“It feels great,” said Barkley. “It was a great team effort, the coaches put us in the right position and we made the right plays.”
Barkley shot a perfect four for four in three-point shots and on the defensive end pulled two big rebounds in the fourth quarter. He finished with a season high 20 points.
“We shoot tons of shots at practice and it’s finally paying off in the games,” he said.
Playing before the biggest home crowd of the year, the teams played even through the first half. Tied at 32 at halftime, the biggest lead for either team was 4-0 for James Clemens after Josh Mitchell opened the game with consecutive baskets.
Bob Jones came out smoking in the third quarter. Barkley’s three point play made it 39-36. Then Bob Jones went on a 15-4 run started by two three-pointers by Barkley. A Barkley assist to Ryan Flanigan and a steal and score by Roderick Randolph gave Bob Jones their biggest lead at 54-40.
Just as quickly though, Bob Jones went cold and scored only five points in the fourth quarter.
James Clemens surged back exciting their contingent of fans. Tyreek Franklin’s three-point shot made it 61-58 and Josh Mitchell tied the game at 61 with a three pointer with 38 seconds left.
In overtime Bob Jones raced out to a 72-64 lead after Trey Calloway banked home an eight-footer. Barkley had five in overtime including another three pointer.
Calloway, a little used big man, gave Bob Jones head coach Graham Aderholt valuable minutes off the bench and didn’t miss a shot in scoring 10 points.
“That’s a big senior stepping up for us in a big situation,” Aderholt said of Calloway. “He is new to our program and he’s worked hard. I’m proud for him. That was impressive and shows what hard work does, it pays off,” Aderholt said.
“Dalton had some foul trouble in the first half but kept his composure and stepped up big for us.”
The win is Bob Jones’ eighth of the season and comes after a tough loss at Hazel Green on Jan. 11. It gives the Patriots a confidence boost as they head into the stretch run.
“Any win is a high point in our season,” Aderholt said. “James Clemens is a great opponent. Every time we play them it is going to be competitive with a great atmosphere. I’m proud to be in Madison city schools so I can be part of it.”
Aderholt said the Bob Jones students “are some of the best in the state and they are great supporting us and they showed it tonight. Our players work hard and to see that kind of support means a lot to them.”
Barkley agreed with his coach. “It was a great atmosphere. I’m glad our students wanted to come out here and watch us play. You always want to beat your rival and they are just down the street. To make it 3-0 is special.”
“This is only the beginning, these next six games we are going to go undefeated and go into the area tournament strong,” Barkley said.
The loss ends James Clemens three game winning streak but the Jets are still in the hunt for an Area 16 title. Bob Jones knows they will travel in their area tournament.
