James Clemens salutes seniors, sweeps Tanner
Jets seniors Alfonso Johnson, China Leary, and Dale Boyd
It was another first for James Clemens High School Thursday night. The school saluted three basketball seniors and to top it off both teams won against Tanner in the final home game of the regular season.
After honoring their only senior, China Leary, the girl’s team broke a two game losing streak and won 40-29. Led by Leary’s 12 points the Lady Jets led 22-16 at the half and had their biggest lead at 35-20 in the fourth quarter.
“We needed this win tonight,” said James Clemens coach Jeff Dunavant. “We had not been playing well. We shot the ball better tonight than we had in a long time. We’ve got to get our confidence back.”
As has been the case all season, Leary, the transfer from Bob Jones, led the Jets in scoring. She had the hot hand early by hitting four three-point shots in the first half. She finished with 17.
“China, on senior night, had a great game,” Dunnavant said. “She did what she has been doing all season. She is a big part of our offense so we need her to keep shooting like she did tonight.”
Leary, a left handed point guard who was a member of Bob Jones state championship team in 2010-2011, has signed a basketball scholarship with Faulkner University in Montgomery.
With one game remaining at Lee, James Clemens regular season record is 14-11. Dunavant said that he considers that record a success when you factor in the team was in the first year of existence.
The Jets had four players added to the roster after the summer workouts so the players did not have a lot of time to work together.
The Jets finished 4-2 in area games. That was good for second in Class 6A, Area 16 and The Jets will play Florence on Thursday night Feb.7 at 6 p.m. to open the area tournament. Austin won the area and will host the tournament.
The Jets have won both games against Florence this season.
“We feel confident going into the post-season but it is hard to beat a team three times in a season. We’re going to have to play our best game to beat Florence again,” Dunavant said.
James Clemens boy’s team also broke a two game losing streak and defeated Tanner 44-38. Their record is now 12-11 with a game remaining at Lee on Monday night.
Like the girls, the Jets boy’s teams will face Florence in the opening round of the area tournament also held at Austin. Their game will be Friday night.
