James Clemens boys get past Sparkman again, 52-49
Marquis Mitchell goes up for a shot at Sparkman Jan. 9. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)
By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer
HARVEST – On Jan. 9 – just like the James Clemens Jets’ previous matchup against Sparkman earlier this season on Dec. 9 – the game score was knotted up late in the fourth period after the Jets opened up a lead earlier in the second half.
This time the game was played at the Senators’ home gym, and the crowd was into it as Sparkman inched up closer and closer on the Jets’ lead. James Clemens, nevertheless, escaped with a 52-49 win for head coach Danny Petty’s 699th career win.
“Every time we play them it’s a close game,” Petty said. “It doesn’t seem to matter who we play, though. It’s a great Area win. Sparkman’s got a really good team. Beating them on their home floor is big.”
Sparkman’s largest lead was an early 16-8 advantage over Sparkman, leading to a 16-11 lead at the end of the first period. The Jets came back to lead 30-29 at halftime and 41-34 going into the fourth period.
“I’m really proud of them hanging in there,” Petty said. “We had some momentum then Sparkman got some back so we had to hang in there.”
Trai James led the Jets with 14 points, including consecutive three-pointers to widen James Clemens’ lead in the third period. Marquis Mitchell registered 10 points and Jason Landman had nine points for the Jets.
The Senators pulled within three points in the last period at 48-45 and again at the very end with a failed three-point attempt with two seconds left to try to force overtime.
The Jets (16-7) will try to improve its Area record Friday against Bob Jones in the second installment of the rivalry. The Patriots handed the Jets their only Area loss of the season, a one-point game at the Jets’ home court Dec. 12.
