Jefferson County’s strong 4th quarter keeps Lady Tigers unbeaten

Published 10:28 pm Friday, December 30, 2016

By Reed DeSalvo

Jefferson County High School limited Crystal Springs High School to just two points over the final six minutes to win Friday night at the Jefferson County Holiday Tournament, 58-48.

Jefferson County (12-0) controlled action for much of the first half, leading 32-24 at the break. A 20-10 third-quarter, however, gave Crystal Springs a two-point cushion heading into the game’s final period, 44-42.

But the Lady Tigers turned up the heat defensively from there.

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“We started turning the ball over, and we weren’t scoring baskets,” Jefferson County coach Flora McKnight said. “We settled back in and started making easy shots.”

Dea’Breaun Turner and Antrell Gales led Jefferson County with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Turner added eight rebounds, while the 6-foot-3 Gales had nine rebounds, five steals, two assists and two blocks.

“That’s an advantage for us, having those two down low, plus our point guard (Kailyn Hammett),” McKnight said.

Hammett was the third Lady Tigers player to reach double-figures with 10 points. The junior point guard also added four assists and three steals despite playing through a lower body injury.

“She gets assists, but she’s a little hurt right now,” McKnight said. “But she didn’t want to come out. She did a good job protecting the ball.”

The difference in the game came at the free-throw line where Jefferson County made 25 free throws to Crystal Spring’s one.

Crystal Springs, however, got even behind the 3-point line as it buried seven from long distance to Jefferson County’s one.

“We have shooters,” McKnight said. “(Ciara Pree) and (Hammett) can shoot it well. We know we have to shoot it well from the outside in order to open the inside up.”

Jefferson County will attempt to remain undefeated after the New Year break when it hosts Wesson High School Jan. 6.

Vicksburg (boys) 50,
Jefferson County 34

Jefferson County reached double-figures in scoring in just one quarter as it fell to MHSAA Class 5A foe Vicksburg 50-34 in boys action at the tournament.

“We didn’t execute like we should have offensively,” Jefferson County boys coach Marcus Walton said. “It’s great to see a solid defensive team like Vicksburg. They’re ery well-disciplined, solid on the defensive end and physical. These are the kind of games that we need play to get ready to compete and win in our region.”

Joe Thomas scored 15 points to lead Vicksburg, and Kirk Parker chipped in with 11.

Joshua Day led Jefferson County with 15 points.

Vicksburg led at the half 27-17, and JCHS managed to trim its second-half deficit to seven on multiple occasions, but wouldn’t come any closer.

JCHS will be back in action Jan. 6 when it hosts Wesson for its region opener.

“Kids around this age, they have to see things, and then they will start to believe in what’s going on,” Walton said. “Tonight was very instrumental in hopefully for us preparing to defend our region crown. Hopefully our kids saw what needs to be done and what it takes to be a good team.”

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