James Clemens takes control of Area 8 race
Jason Landman goes up for a jump shot with Ryan Scruggs defending (Record Photo/ Nick Sellers)
MADISON- This one wasn’t close. James Clemens’ length and depth wore down Bob Jones and the Jets defeated their city rival 71-61 Friday night. The Jets are now in command of Area 8. A win over Hazel Green at home next Friday and the Jets will clinch home court in the area tournament.
“It was a big win first for the area race second because it was Bob Jones,” said James Clemens coach Danny Petty. “I’m very proud of our guys. We are playing better. We hung in there in the first half and played well in the third quarter. We had a big enough lead we just hung on in the fourth.”
After a close first quarter, Bob Jones led 11-9. James Clemens then grabbed the lead with three pointers from Zach Hancock and Trai James to go up 15-11. The Jets never trailed again. They led 22-20 at the half.
The Jets gashed the Bob Jones zone defense cutting to the basket and dishing to the open man. In the third quarter the shots began to fall. Zach Hancock had seven straight points on a 13-2 run. Josh Garth’s slam dunk made it 44-29 to the delight of Jet fans who packed the visitors upper and lower sections.
Meanwhile Bob Jones’ key players were in foul trouble. Dalton Barkley picked up his third foul early in the third quarter and sat down. He returned but fouled out with 4:21 left in the fourth quarter. He finished with 7 points.
Deondre Douglas also fouled out. Ryan Dupree played with 4 fouls most of the second half.
With Bob Jones’ big men out, the Jets controlled the paint. They had their biggest lead at 52-34 early in the fourth quarter on a Jason Landman basket.
Landman, a transfer from Arab, had one of his best games with 18 points on a variety of jumpers, offensive rebounds, and fast break layups.
“He is still learning. Jason is shooting the ball a lot better, getting more aggressive,” Petty said of the 6-foot-7 junior.
“Josh Garth is playing better. This is probably the biggest team I have ever had so that helps.”
Danny Petty
Marquis Mitchell added 14 points shooting an efficient 7 of 8 from the field. He had a chance at a three point play on an assist from Landman. James Clemens shot a sizzling 56% (18-32) in the second half.
James Clemens broke the Patriots press late in the game and R.J. Williams had a big basket to keep the lead at 14 in the fourth quarter. Williams hit 4 of 5 free throws and finished with 11 points.
Bob Jones cut the lead to 10 in a ragged fourth quarter as both teams had numerous turnovers. Petty took several timeouts to try to settle his team down.
Bob Jones coach Graham Aderholt said his team kept battling but Bob Jones was at a size disadvantage practically the whole game.
“They effect every shot you take with their length,” Aderholt said. “When you drive in the lane you got 6-6, 6-7 waiting on you and they are very athletic. They guard you well and we missed easy looks around the rim. But our season is nowhere near over.”
Deondre Douglas finished with 15 points, most in the first half. He had six in the first quarter as Bob Jones had their largest lead at 6-2.
Ryan Dupree also had 15 points.
Both teams wrap up area play next Friday.
James Clemens (4-1 in area) hosts Hazel Green. Bob Jones (3-2) is at Sparkman.
