MBB: Rams bounce back for key win, 59-48
recent season action. The Rams snapped their 3-game losing skid
heading into league play on Monday with a 59-48 win over Alto at
home. (Photo by John Krueger)
The Joaquin Rams began the season as one of the hottest teams in the area, reeling off 14 wins in their first 17 games. But since the holiday break they've struggled, losing three straight heading into this week's action.
On Friday the Rams dropped their sixth game of the season when they went on the road and shot 32% (18-of-56) from the field and 23% (5-of-22) from behind the three-point arc in a 52-47 setback to cross-county rival Shelbyville in Dragon Gymnasium.
Joaquin did bounce back on Monday night and pick up a much-needed win with a 59-48 victory over Alto in Ram Gymnasium. That victory, which improved the Rams to 15-6 on the year, was much needed as JHS opens District 20-2A action Friday night at home against Jefferson at 7:30 p.m.
"We needed that win bad," said Joaquin head coach Brian Gandy. "We really haven't played well since the holiday break and we needed a good game to build our confidence heading into district play."
Here's a rundown of the Rams' last two games:
Shelbyville 52, Joaquin 47 -- Wyatt Hairgrove was the only Joaquin player who scored in double figures on Friday in the 52-47 loss to the Dragons, dropping in 29 points on 10-of-27 shooting from the field. He was also 5-of-15 from 3-point range.
Will Vaughn scored eight points for the Rams on 4-of-10 shooting. He had a well-rounded game with 12 rebounds (5 offensive) and a pair of steals.
Austin Bloodgood and Cody Runnels each added four points, while Za Cooper chipped in two.
In addition to Vaughn's rebounding total, P.J. Peterson pulled down seven rebounds, with four coming off the offensive glass, Cooper had six boards, Bloodgood tallied five, Hairgrove and Runnels chipped in four each, Tristan Hairgrove finished with three and Tra Rogers had two rebounds. As a team, JHS finished with 44, of which 22 came on the offensive end.
Runnels blocked one shot for the Rams, while Hairgrove picked up four steals and Rogers handed out two assists.
Shelbyville gave Joaquin trouble by shooting 'lights out' throughout the game. The Dragons took a 16-6 lead at the end of the opening period and grabbed a 27-17 lead into the locker room at the half.
The Rams began to inch closer in the third quarter, trimming the advantage to 38-33, but they couldn't overcome the lead that the Dragons had built.
Joaquin 59, Alto 48 -- The Rams didn't shoot well on Monday night, but they only committed nine turnovers as they built a 14-6 lead at the end of the first quarter and then pulled away in the fourth for an 11-point win over the Yellowjackets.
Wyatt Hairgrove scored 15 points despite hitting only 5-of-20 field goals, as he led the Rams offensively. He also picked up a game-high six steals, while dishing out two assists.
Rogers added 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field, while tallying seven boards. Cooper scored nine points, Vaughn contributed eight, Peterson chipped in seven, and Bloodgood, Runnels and Gage Belrose each scored two.
Vaughn nearly had a double-double, pulling down a game-high 20 rebounds for Joaquin. Ten of those boards were on the offensive end. Peterson added eight rebounds, Rogers tallied seven and Hayden Ferguson contributed three to the cause.
Runnels and Vaughn each blocked two shots to lead JHS.
After building an 8-point lead after the first period, the Rams scored 19 points in the second quarter to hold on to the advantage at the half.
The Yellowjackets trimmed the lead to three, 41-38, heading into the fourth quarter, but the Rams pulled away in the fourth by outscoring Alto 18-10.