BJHS girls hang on for win Over Hoover
In a rematch of the state’s top two girls’ basketball teams, Bob Jones jumped out to a large first quarter lead but had to hold on at the end and outlasted Hoover 36-34.
BY LINDSAY VAUGHT
In a rematch of the state’s top two girls’ basketball teams, Bob Jones jumped out to a large first quarter lead but had to hold on at the end and outlasted Hoover 36-34.
The No. 1 ranked Lady Bucs had defeated Bob Jones 53-27 back Nov. 29.
With 12 seconds left, Hoover had two shots to win it but a three-pointer by Brejon Allen hit off the rim and a put back missed and the Lady Patriots got a win in a game they had been pointing to for weeks.
One key starter missed the game for the Lady Patriots. DeAishia Campbell will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken ankle. She is Bob Jones second leading scorer and a top ball handler.
“I hate it for her but you got to go on and play with what you got,” said Head coach Tim Miller. “Our girls wanted it a little more this time. All the girls stepped up. Joidan Jennings and her sister Lindsay handled the ball real well and made plays down the stretch. Our post players did a good job handling the ball.”
Bob Jones jumped out to an early 15-2 lead at the end of the first quarter led by Jasmine Jones who pumped in nine points in the first half. With college coaches from Vanderbilt and UNA looking on the teams played even in the second quarter and hit halftime with a Bob Jones 13 point lead.
Allen led the comeback for Hoover and finished with 14 points. She hit 3 3-point baskets in the fourth quarter to pull Hoover into a tie at 34. Allen is a senior who signed to play college basketball at Rice University.
Late in the fourth quarter, Jennings hit a lay up on a drive through the entire Hoover defense and China Leary had a lay up with the left hand to build on a slim Bob Jones lead.
In the final minute Bob Jones got key free throws from Jasmine Jones and Katie Colson to build a two point lead which was the difference in the game. Jones finished with a game high 15 points. Katie Colson had eight points and Jennings, five.
Beating Hoover was at the top of the list that senior Jasmine Jones wanted to accomplish this season.
“They are a really good team and it means a whole lot coming back from the loss to them earlier this season. We pressured them on the ball and got some turnovers early,” Jones said after the game.
“We’ve got injuries and the whole team has to step up. This win means a lot. We know we got to get better.”
Senior Tierra Jones knows it is very likely the two teams will meet again in Birmingham in the state tournament in March.
“It is a satisfying win but we know it is not the final determining one. We are just trying to see what works best against them. If we do see them again it will be different teams by then,” said Jones who has already signed with Tulane.
Bob Jones is now 8-1 and Hoover is now 6-2.
