James Clemens turns on the ‘Jets’ in second half, downs Florence 66-42

Trai James looks to inbound the ball against Florence Dec. 2 (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – It was a tale of two halves for the James Clemens (6-3) varsity basketball team against the visiting Class 6A Florence Falcons.

The first half was a hotly contested matchup, with the halftime score sitting in favor of James Clemens 30-29. However, the Jets took control in the second half, ending the third quarter on an 8-0 run with the score in the Jets’ favor, 49-34. The run continued well into the last period, as James Clemens took its largest lead at 62-34.

“[The] guys came out in the second half and decided they wanted to play a little bit,” head coach Danny Petty said. “We kind of stopped their penetration. Little more patient, got it to the people we needed to inside. Just played with a little more intensity.”

Junior forward Marquis Mitchell scored 14 points, as did forward Jason Landman. R.J. Williams finished with 11 points, and Trai James contributed 10.

“I know Florence hadn’t been practicing very long,” Petty said. “They just got their football guys back and I’m sure they got a little tired, but just a different second half.”

Florence was eliminated in the 6A football semifinals by Clay-Chalkville on Nov. 28. Several basketball players on roster were on the football team, including Dee Smith, Jakobi Byrd, Quess Carroll and Johnathan Coffee.

James Clemens will ready itself for the first region game of the season, when it welcomes the Sparkman Senators on Dec. 9.