James Clemens comes up short against J.O. Johnson, 54-42, in HTC title game

John Petty (23) surveys the James Clemens defense in the Huntsville Times Classic title game Dec. 29. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

HUNTSVILLE – The point was made several times, by both the announcers and even Jets coach Danny Petty, that James Clemens wasn’t supposed to be there, in the Huntsville Times Classic championship game Dec. 29.

Yet there they, the Jets, were, facing off against the Class 5A No. 3 J.O. Johnson Jaguars at host Huntsville High’s main gym, with a crowd so large the fire marshal had to keep a close watch.

There was no shortage of storylines for the matchup – two legendary coaches, Petty and Johnson coach Jack Doss, who together have eight state titles under their coaching belt, not to mention countless HTC championships – but the only one that mattered Monday was the final, which swung in Johnson’s favor, 54-42.

The Jets managed a tough lead early, 10-8, at the end of the first period. The second period belonged to the Jaguars, though, as Johnson went on a 12-0 run to end the first half.

“We just missed some shots,” James Clemens head coach Danny Petty said. “We just didn’t score when we needed to. They got down the floor, we tried to press and that opens it up to a team that good.”

The scoring was fairly concentrated for both teams, with five Jaguars and six Jets contributing in the scoring effort. Johnson’s Terrion Bone led all players with 17 points, while sophomore John Petty, the tournament’s leading scorer, chipped in 13 for Johnson.

Field goal percentage stayed even throughout the first half but gradually skewed towards Johnsons’ advantage, at 44 percent for the Jaguars and almost 35 percent for the Jets. James Clemens went 0–for–6 from the three-point line in the second half and 1–for–12 overall after Zack Hancock made four from downtown in the Jets’ semifinals game against Lee.

“I’m still proud of our guys for being here,” Petty said. “Nobody really thought we were going to be here. It’s just another part of a learning experience this year that will hopefully help us later.”

Trai James led James Clemens with 12 points, and Josh Garth had 10. Jason Landman, who had a strong tournament overall, contributed nine points and Marquis Mitchell had six points. Bob Jones beat Hazel Green in the consolation bracket to place fifth.