Sparkman ends Bob Jones season, advances in area tournament
Sparkman's Rakiya Battle strokes a shot over Ryan Dupree
Harvest- He is called Rock by his coaches and teammates. When it mattered most, Rakiya Battle came up big in an elimination game Friday night in the opening round of the Class 6A, Area 15 tournament. The 67-50 win was even more satisfying coming against rival Bob Jones. Bob Jones season ends with a 7-20 record.
Battle hit five key three-point baskets and finished with 19 points. One, just before halftime, helped Sparkman surge from a one point lead after one quarter to a 33-19 halftime lead.
Bob Jones could get no closer that eight in the third quarter. Jamarcus Jones was 8-12 from the free throw line to keep Bob Jones close. He finished with 13.
Sparkman blew the game open by scoring on five straight possessions to start the fourth quarter including two three-point baskets by Battle to end any hope of a Patriot comeback. By the time Bob Jones’ Tanner Finley hit a three to break a three minute drought, the Patriots trailed 55-39.
Sparkman had its biggest lead at 63-46 on a three pointer by Lamonte Turner.
Sparkman Basketball coach Jaime Coggins
“Rakiya is the leader of our team,” Sparkman coach Jaime Coggins said. “He runs the show from the point position. He stepped up tonight and made a lot of big plays in terms of making shots. He is very selective in his shooting. He showed a lot of confidence. He’s has really worked on his shot and it paid dividends.”
Battle not only shot well but he dished out seven assists including two that were slammed home by William Crowell. Crowell’s second dunk put Sparkman up 51-37 and sent the standing-room only crowd into a frenzy.
“We are at the same position as last year but we are playing better,” said Battle referring to last year when Sparkman failed to advance to the regional. “This year we are in our gym. The guys trust their jumper and their ability going to the rim so we have confidence that we can continue moving forward in the playoffs.”
Battle is a senior who will play basketball in college but has not made up his mind where. He is holding one scholarship offer.
Sparkman will have their hands full Monday night against Hazel Green, a 66-45 winner against Buckhorn. Sparkman has won the two meetings between the teams this year but Hazel Green is peaking and like last year is poised to go on a run.
The Trojans have all the pieces in place to make a return trip to the Class 6A championship game.
Senior point guard Austin Dempsey scored 23 points for Hazel Green against Buckhorn and seems to come on strong at this time every season. At 6-foot-3 he is hard to stop in the lane and he can dish to two big men, Lewis Sullivan and Ethan Stairs.
Last season, Dempsey was voted MVP at the Northwest Regional at Wallace State-Hanceville as Hazel Green won the regional.
“Every time you advance you take the next step further, every team is going to be tougher and it’s going to be a battle,” said Coggins.
The two teams meet Monday night at 7:30 at Sparkman. Winner hosts a sub-regional game, loser travels to meet the winner of Area 16.
