Bob Jones girls take down James Clemens 39-29

Shayla Gholston (33) plays in the paint against Tyler Fredericks (32) Dec. 12. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – Both varsity basketball teams from Bob Jones won the first round of the cross-town Madison rivalry, with the Patriot girls taking a 10-point victory over the Jets on James Clemens’ home court, 39-29.

Bob Jones built a 22-9 halftime lead due in large part to Amy Maynard’s four three-pointers in the first half. Maynard’s first shot was an almost-halfcourt buzzer-beater at the end of the first period, giving Bob Jones an 11-4 lead and a boost of energy.

“When we get our shooters and they actually hit shots like that, it opens up our offense for us – especially if they’re playing us man-to-man,” Bob Jones coach Andre Reynolds said.

Maynard scored 14 points in the first half and finished with 16, one less than Kailey Beckett’s 17 points for James Clemens, which led all scorers.

Beckett was responsible for seven of the Jets’ nine points at halftime. Teandra Hambrick, who scored four, and Beckett were the only Jets who scored more than two points.

“For our kids to stay in games and win games, it’s going to have to be our defense, and tonight we did an excellent job playing defense and the girls did an excellent job communicating,” Reynolds said.

The Patriots’ largest lead stood at 26-11 in the third quarter. Makayla Bullard scored seven points for Bob Jones and Rachel Murray and Tyler Fredericks chipped in six points.

“I honestly think defense is what hurt us more than our offense,” James Clemens coach Amber Deline said. “We pride ourselves on our defense and we lost our sight of the ball.”

Both teams hit five free throws; James Clemens had 13 foul shots, while Bob Jones had just eight. The Jets also went 0-for-9 from three-point land.

James Clemens will pick back up its season Jan. 2 at Muscle Shoals, and Bob Jones next plays at Huntsville Jan. 3.