MBB: Bobcats pick up pair of wins at A.J. Classic
Thursday's first-round game against Corrigan-Camden at the A.J.
Classic Jenksin scored 13 points, but the Dragons came up short in
overtime, 53-45. (Photo by John Krueger)
JOAQUIN, Tx -- The Joaquin Rams cruised to their fifth straight win and the Gary Bobcats captured a pair of nail-biters on Thursday to highlight the opening round of the boys division of the A.J. Classic basketball tournament here in new Ram Gymnasium.
The Rams didn't face much resistance from Longview Christian, securing a 54-28 win, while Gary clipped Hemphill, 47-46, and Logansport, La., 56-55. Other first-round results included Corrigan-Camden topping Shelbyville in overtime, 53-45, and Elysian Fields coming from behind to top Timpson, 40-31.
Here's a rundown of Thursday's games:
Joaquin 54, Longview Christian 28 -- Wyatt Hairgrove scored nine first-quarter points, finishing with a game-high 18 to lead the Rams (5-1) to a convincing 54-28 win over Longview Christian.
Kain Yates, Will Vaughn and Tristan Hairgrove each scored six points in the balance-scoring offensive attack for JHS, while P.J. Peterson dropped in five, Cody Runnels added four and Za Cooper pitched in three points. Nathan Martinez, Evans and Tra Rogers each scored two points in the game.
The Rams quickly moved out to a 16-5 lead at the end of the opening stanza and then stretched the lead to 26-10 at the break. JHS coasted in the final 16 minutes, outscoring Longview Christian 13-8 in the third and 15-10 in the fourth as Joaquin head coach Brian Gandy went deep in his bench.
Gary 47, Hemphill 46 -- Stephen White scored 12 first-half points and finished with a team-high 14 to lead the Bobcats to an opening win over Hemphill, 47-46, Thursday morning.
Connor Coligan added 12 points, throwing in eight points in the fourth period, while Luke Thornton and Josh Bowen each chipped in eight points, Levi Cohorst and Kessler scored two each and Matt Wood scored one point.
Bell led Hemphill with a game-high 20 points.
Hemphill held a slim 8-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, but White threw in six points in the second period for the Bobcats as they outscored the Hornets 15-11 to grab a 22-19 lead at the half.
The Hornets inched back to within 30-29 heading into the final quarter, but Connor Coligan scored eight of the Bobcats' 17 fourth-quarter points to lead GHS to the win.
Gary 56, Logansport, La. 55 -- Luke Thornton had the hot hand for Gary in the Bobcats' final game of the day, scoring 15 of his team-high 20 points in the fourth quarter to lead the 'Cats to a 56-55 win over Logansport.
Stephen White added 12 points, with eight of those coming in the fourth quarter. Matt Wood threw in 10 points, Levi Cohorst and Connor Coligan chipping in five points apiece and Josh Bowen added three points.
The contest was tied 12-12 after the first period, but the Tigers moved out to a 21-19 lead at the break.
Logansport widened its lead to 37-33 heading into the final period, but that's when the Bobcats (4-3) caught fire. Thornton hit a pair of threes early on during an 11-0 GHS run over a span of 3:58 to give Gary a 46-41 lead and the Bobcats wrapped up the win by hitting 10-of-14 from the line over the final 4:48.
Corrigan-Camden 53, Shelbyville 45 (OT) -- Shelbyville (1-4) managed a 45-45 tie after regulation, but couldn't score in the overtime as the Dragons fell to the Bulldogs, 53-45.
Ja'Michael Jenkins led the Dragons with 13 points, scoring six of those in the third quarter. C.J. Watson threw in 12 points and Barnes added 10. James Bradford scored five points and Stracener pitched in four points.
McClendon led Corrigan-Camden with 23 points.
Corrigan-Camden built a 14-7 lead after the first period and held a 20-16 lead at the half. The Dragons came alive in the third, outscoring the 'Dogs 17-11 as Jenkins scored six points and Bradford five points.
The teams were tied 45-45 after regular, but it was the Bulldogs who outscored the Dragons 8-0 in the extra period to claim the win.
Elysian Fields 40, Timpson 31 -- Lorenzo Young scored seven fourth-quarter points, but it wasn't enough as Elysian Fields overcame a 10-2 deficit after the first period to defeat Timpson, 40-31.
Young led all Bear scorers with 14 points, while Jaylin Rhodes added seven, John Jacobs and Dimric Caraway scored four each and Jay Bussey pitched in two points.
Timpson couldn't hold on to its early lead as the 'Jackets outscored the Bears 8-5 in the second quarter, 14-3 in the third and 16-13 in the fourth to claim the win.
In Friday's second-round play, Joaquin took on Louisiana School as LSMSA joins the action after having a bye on Thursday. Timpson battles Hemphill and Shelbyville faced Longview Christian on the losers' side of the bracket, while Corrigan faces the Joaquin/Louisiana School winner at 2 p.m., Gary tackles Elysian Fields at 3:30 p.m. and the Timpson/Hemphill winner tangles with the Joaquin/LSMSC loser at 5 p.m. and the Shelbyville/Longview Christian winner battles Logansport at 6:30 p.m.
A.J. LAWRENCE CLASSIC
Boys' Schedule/Results
Thursday, Dec. 1
Gary 47, Hemphill 46
Corrigan-Camden 53, Shelbyville 45 (OT)
Elysian Fields 40, Timpson 31
Joaquin 54, Longview Christian 28
Gary 56, Logansport, La. 55
Friday, Dec. 2
Joaquin vs. La. School (NG), 9:30 a.m.
Timpson vs. Hemphill (NG), 11 a.m.
Shelbyville vs. Longview Christ. (OG), 12:30 p.m.
Corrigan vs. Joaquin/La. School win. (NG), 2 p.m.
Gary vs. Elysian Fields (OG), 3:30 p.m.
Timpson/Hemphill win. vs. Joaquin/La. School loser (OG), 5 p.m.
Shelbyville/Longview win. vs. Logansport (OG), 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Consolation Game (NG), 9:30 a.m.
Third-Place Game (OG), 11 a.m.
Championship Game (NG), 2 p.m.