BJHS to face Huntsville in Classic

Playing before a standing room only crowd in a semi-final game Wednesday night, Bob Jones jumped out to an early lead against Sparkman, but saw the lead evaporate in the second half.

BY LINDAY VAUGHT

Playing before a standing room only crowd in a semi-final game Wednesday night, Bob Jones jumped out to an early lead against Sparkman, but saw the lead evaporate in the second half. The Patriots needed a late rally to overcome the Senators by a 59-51 margin.

Earlier in the day, Bob Jones had defeated Hazel Green and Sparkman defeated Johnson.

The victory puts the number 1 ranked Patriots in the championship game of the Huntsville Times Classic tonight at 6:30 p.m. They will play Huntsville in an effort to win the championship that eluded them last year when Butler defeated Bob Jones in the championship game, 59-57.

Huntsville defeated tournament favorite Butler in the late game Wednesday night to deny the Patriots a chance at revenge from last years final.

Against Sparkman, Bob Jones shot a sizzling 57 percent from three point land in the first half hitting eight of 14 shots behind the arc. Travon Landry opened the scoring for Bob Jones with a three pointer. Reggie Ragland, Kevin Wright, and Tyler Davis all hit three’s and another Landry three put Bob Jones up 15-6. The only negative was early foul trouble for Jeffrey Moss.

Tyler Davis hit two more three pointers in the second quarter as Bob Jones pulled away to a 33-22 halftime lead. Reggie Ragland led the Patriots at the break with 12 while Davis was right behind with 11. Devin Hankins kept Sparkman within striding distance with six.

In the third quarter, Wesley Wright sparked a Sparkman comeback with a three followed by Hankins with another one. Turnovers plagued Bob Jones as the momentum shifted. Landry had to take a seat with three fouls at 3:25 of the third quarter and Sparkman made their move.

A steal and layup by Hankins put Sparkman within three at 44-41 and Wesley Wright tied the game at 46 with a three pointer. After Hankins went out of the game with leg cramps Jeffrey Moss took over and went coast-to-coast for a basket to put the Patriots up 50-46.

Landry was the key to breaking Sparkman’s press late in the fourth and he drove the lane for a hoop to make it 56-51.

Hankins and Wesley Wright led Sparkman with 16 points each.

“It is a rival game,” said Bob Jones coach Danny Petty. “Sparkman is playing really well right now and we knew it would be a tough game.”

Bob Jones was led by Reggie Ragland with 17 followed by Tyler Davis who finished with 12 as he picked up the scoring slack from Moss getting fewer minutes because of early foul trouble.

“You’re not going to beat the real good teams with one or two guys,” Petty said. “Everybody has got to play their role and that is what we have been doing throughout the year. Everybody contributes whether it is a rebound and assist or scoring.”

Petty said that it was important for his team to play well in front of a big crowd to prepare them for the regional’s and state tournament.

“That is why we play in tournaments like this,” Petty said.  “I’ve always believed in playing a tough schedule to prepare for down the road. Teams like Sparkman play good defense and we see different styles.”