James Clemens Loses a 52-50 Thriller at Sparkman
Hannah Parks of James Clemens shoots a three point shot over Alexis Jennings
(RECORD PHOTO/FLOYD PARKS)
From Staff Reports
Sparkman and James Clemens opened the basketball season Friday night with a close game that came down to the final shot before Sparkman pulled out a 52-50 victory.
The game was played before a packed house at Sparkman where Coach Jamie Coggins unveiled his new team that features five new starters after he had four seniors from last years team sign to play college basketball.
Sparkman began the game on the fast track, led by guard Jamal Johnson’s 11 first quarter points, jumping out to a 23-10 lead after the first quarter. However, with Jordan Harris and Tykeem Franklin leading the way, the Jets cut the deficit to single digits, as the Senators led 39-32 at halftime.
The third quarter was dominated by James Clemens with Harris, Franklin and Trai James pressuring the Sparkman offensive effort. The Jets cut the Sparkman lead to two points by the end of the third, and had momentum. However, key mistakes and a few untimely whistles kept James Clemens from putting the game away.
With less than 10 seconds left and trailing 52-50 the Jets tried to find the wide open shot. However, the Sparkman defense stuck like glue, and a Harris 3-point effort at the buzzer, fell short of the mark.
With only one two-point basket in the fourth quarter, Sparkman went to the free-throw line just enough to solidify their victory.
Sparkman was lead by Jamal Johnson with 15 points, Thomas Melbert with 11, and center Sean Berry with 11 points and 11.
Harris with 21 points, Franklin with 12 points, and James with 10, led the Jets scoring.
James Clemens next game is Tuesday at home, as the Buckhorn Bucks visit JCHS for the first time. Game time for the contest is 7:30pm.
Sparkman visits the Lee High School Generals on Tuesday night, with Game time set for 7pm.
(GIRLS) Sparkman Uses a Balanced Attack to Stifle James Clemens
To say that the Sparkman High School Lady Senators had something to prove in their season debut against the James Clemens Jets, might be the understatement of the year. Following Sparkman’s loss in the Northwest tournament at Wallace State last year, the Senators look to be re-committed to punching their own ticket to Birmingham and the 2014 AHSAA Final 48.
The bottom line, Sparkman used an impressively balanced offense, led by 17 points from their All-State center Alexis Jennings, and a swarming defense to put away the game before the first half ended.
When Sparkman’s first half barrage finally ended, the Lady Senators held a commanding 43-7 advantage at the break.
When the second half started, it became obvious that the undermanned Jets would not give up, as the Jets played the Senators to a stand-off in the third quarter. However, by that time the outcome of the game was never in doubt.
Jennings 17 points from the post position, led the Lady Senators. Hannah Parks, with three second half 3 pointers, led James Clemens with 16 points.
James Clemens next game is Tuesday at home against Buckhorn High School, with tip-off set for 6PM.
Sparkman’s next game is set for Tuesday at Lee High School, with game time at 5:30pm.
