Bob Jones wraps up area play with sweep of Buckhorn
Josh Mitchell shoots over Buckhorn’s Tre Tipton
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)
MADISON- Bob Jones needed a win over visiting Buckhorn and a Hazel Green win over Sparkman to finish in a three-way tie for first in Class 6A, Area 15. The Patriots got both Friday night as they survived a late charge by Buckhorn to post a 66-57 victory to run their area record to 4-2.
“It was a great win for the guys, Buckhorn always plays us tough,” said Bob Jones coach Graham Aderholt.
Bob Jones has bounced back from a tough loss to Sparkman with two straight wins. They defeated Florence on Tuesday night 64-43.
Free throws down the stretch were the key to Bob Jones hanging on. Bob Jones had their biggest lead at 44-29 after a Tanner Finley three early in the fourth quarter but Buckhorn nailed three three’s of their own and cut the lead to 8 at 65-57.
Josh Mitchell hit 7-8 free throws, Ryan Dupree was 4-4, and Dalton Barkley was 4-7 all in the fourth quarter.
“We practice free throws at least 20 minutes every practice and it is paying off,” Aderholt added.
The teams had nine lead changes early and Buckhorn had their last lead at 14-13 before Bob Jones went on an 11-2 run. Tanner Finley nailed a three just before half to make it 24-16.
Ralph Templton got hot with five straight points in the third quarter. He hit a three pointer then had a driving layup. Bob Jones led by 12 after the third quarter but Buckhorn would score 28 points in the fourth.
Bob Jones got a big boost from Ryan Dupree who scored 11 points off the bench. Barkley led with a game high 19 points and 8 rebounds. Josh Mitchell had 18 points.
Aderholt said that over the final two games the team “is going to keep working and keep improving. We want to be playing our best basketball going into the area tournament.”
Aderholt will now wait on a coin toss to determine who will host the boy’s area tournament as Bob Jones finished with Hazel Green and Sparkman in a 3-way tie. That coin toss will happen in Bob Jones principal Robby Parker’s office next week as he is the area coordinating official.
Bob Jones’ last home game and senior night is Tuesday against Austin. They wrap up the regular season with a trip to James Clemens next Friday Jan. 31. The area tournament starts Tuesday, Feb 4.
GIRLS: BOB JONES 47 BUCKHORN 44
Buckhorn erased a 10 point first half lead and led briefly 38-36 in the fourth quarter before Chandler Elder took the game over. The UAH-signee hit a three point shot to put Bob Jones up 40-39 and she sank 6 of 6 free throws in the last two minutes to secure the victory.
The win means Bob Jones finishes third in Area 15 play and will play Hazel Green in the area tournament at Sparkman on Feb. 3. Like the men’s team, they will celebrate Senior Night on Tuesday against Austin in the final home game.
