Sparkman, Bob Jones keep it close, again
Jonathon Moss goes to the rim against Sparkman’s Chazz Garret defending (Contributed/Kris Kaspzak)
HARVEST- Sparkman got the equalizer Friday night with a 55-54 overtime victory over Bob Jones to wrap up Area 8 play. Bob Jones had a one point win over Sparkman back on January 6.
Sparkman finished area play 2-4 even with Hazel Green. The two coaches will get together and flip a coin with the winner taking third and loser fourth. Bob Jones finished area play at 3-3 good for second place behind James Clemens.
Sparkman got a near perfect game from 6-foot-5 junior Chazz Garrett who was 6 of 6 from the field and 1-2 free throws for 13 points.
“The house was packed and it was an electric atmosphere,” said Sparkman coach Jaime Coggins. “Our players fed off that. Chazz really stepped up. We count on Chazz to be a force on defense and he had a tremendous block in overtime. He has improved offensively and can knock down the 12-15 foot shots.”
Bob Jones led 11-8 after one quarter as JD Sims had 9 points in the first half. A Ryan Scruggs three and a fast break basket by Deondre Douglas put Bob Jones up 22-13.
Defense started Sparkman’s comeback as Thomas Melbert blocked a Jonathon Moss dunk attempt. Two Bob Jones turnovers and a three from Sparkman’s Braxton Wright keyed an 11-0 run and Sparkman led 24-22 at the half.
A three from Moss gave Bob Jones a 35-33 lead after three quarters but Garrett went to work and hit a baseline jumper and Sparkman had a 46-41 lead with under a minute to play. Bob Jones got a steal and a Douglas layup with 6.5 seconds left. Sparkman missed a free throw to leave the door open and Ryan Dupree banked in a desperation three to tie.
In overtime a Brandon Miller three gave Sparkman the lead for good. Garrett had a huge block on a Douglas layup and Rashawn Green hit two free throws to seal the win.
Sparkman played without senior point guard Amos Landrum who is out with an injury.
“Tonight we started Maurice Anderson but I asked all the guys to step up their game. This was not one of our best nights but we hung in there and found a way to make plays down the stretch,” Coggins said.
Sparkman is on a roll having won five straight games.
“Of our ten losses eight have come down to the last possession,” Coggins said. “We were on the short end some times but we stayed together as a team and showed so much resiliency and I told our guys to keep working hard and good things will happen.”
“The area is up for grabs,” Coggins said. “All four teams are right there.”
Bob Jones was led by Sims with 15 and Moss with 10. Dalton Barkley played sparingly as he recovers from pneumonia.
GIRLS: Sparkman 54 Bob Jones 39
Hazel Green will host the girls area tournament. Sparkman and Bob Jones finished 2 and 3, James Clemens 4.
