Hitting their stride, Bob Jones stays perfect in area play
1-18 Demontrez Brown goes over Joseph Logan for two (Record Photo/Kris Kasprzak
MADISON- Bob Jones led from start to finish Friday night against James Clemens and pulled away to a 57-45 win over their cross-town rivals. The win completes the regular season sweep for Bob Jones. The Patriots are on top in Class 7A, Area 8 at 4-0. Sparkman is next at 3-1 after defeating Buckhorn.
“Our team is starting to come together and find an identity,” said Bob Jones Head Coach Luther Tiggs. “We’re getting a lot of guys contributing. Our guys believe in each other, they believe in this coaching staff and they have done a tremendous job buying in and most importantly they’re having fun. I’m pleased with them.”
To open the game T.D. Farris hit a three, Chase Fiddler hit a jumper, and Demontrez Brown scored to put Bob Jones up 9-0. James Clemens was called for charging twice in the first quarter. Both teams were hit with technical fouls as the frenzied atmosphere led to physical play and numerous fouls.
James Clemens closed to 20-16 as Jarquez Lawson came off the bench to score. But missed free throws hurt the Jets as they missed 10 of 15 in the second quarter alone. Chase Fiddler scored in the lane and then hit two free throws to put Bob Jones up 29-19 at the half.
Jayden Hill’s fast break basket and a three by Isaiah Hatchett put Bob Jones up 34 -21. Milkyle Stewart and A.J. McGinnis traded three’s but turnovers hurt James Clemens in the third quarter. Hill’s basket off a steal gave Bob Jones their biggest lead at 55-40.
McGinnis led James Clemens with 9 points.
Trey Graham had some good minutes off the bench for Bob Jones scoring 7 in the second half.
Hill finished with 8, Fiddler with 9, and Demontrez Brown with 8 as Bob Jones spread the scoring around.
Tiggs said that is a good sign.
“When you get that balanced scoring that tells me we are doing a good job playing together and sharing the basketball. Nobody cares who gets the credit just about winning.”
“This game means a lot in the community, for players, their peers, and the administration. It’s bragging rights. Our guys were fired up but they did a good job keeping it in perspective.”
One change at the game was the student section was relocated from the far end zone to behind the Bob Jones bench and it seemed to work resulting in a large turnout.
“Our student body did a tremendous job and I’m glad to see Bob Jones people turn out and support these kids because they are playing extremely hard,” Tiggs said.
James Clemens falls to 0-4 in area play and will play a makeup game at Sparkman Saturday night, Jan. 14. Bob Jones will makeup their game at Buckhorn on Jan 23.
