James Clemens Senior Night produces big win

Jets Senior Marquise Mitchell (1) goes up for a shot against Johnson at Senior Night. RECORD PHOTOS/CHARLEY GAINES

By CHARLEY GAINES / For the Record

MADISON – In their second meeting of the season, the James Clemens men’s basketball team stole a win from J.O. Johnson Friday night with a thrilling 62-50 win over the Jaguars at home.

The win came as the Jets celebrated their graduating men’s and women’s players as well as their cheerleaders and dance team members on Senior Night.

A slam-packed gym had the opportunity to see the Jets men silence Johnson as they led the visitors through all four quarters of a fast and physical game. The Jaguars put up a good fight with a solid defensive effort, but the home team’s ability to hit the net while shutting down Johnson’s offense ultimately won them the game after losing 64-60 to the Jaguars in December.

Bradley Belt (5) led the team with 20 points in the game, six of those points lofted in the net from outside the three-point line. Senior Trai James (3) added 14 points to his record this season also scoring two three-point shots with five assists and five rebounds, and James’ classmate Marquise Mitchell (1) went home Friday having scored 13 points in the game. The senior guard brought the game to a close with a spirit-shattering dunk within the last ten seconds of the game as Jets fans roared from the bleachers. The home team’s student section sent Johnson, one of Alabama’s top-ranked teams with one of the state’s top-ranked players, home chanting “we can’t hear you.”

The Lady Jets weren’t as fortunate with a 45-35 loss to the Jaguars Friday night. Marissa Lacey (42) got the bulk of the women’s team’s points scoring eight in the game. Camryn Samuel (30) got seven points, and Angel Benson (25) and Brooke Baugh (15) each got six points. Three of Baugh’s six points were from outside the three-point line with 2:05 left in the game.

James Clemens High School, coaches, teammates, family and friends honored nine basketball players, six men and three women, Friday at Senior Night, wishing them well as they make their transitions out of high school this spring.