MBB: Rams pull back into playoff chase, 45-28
during Friday night's game against Elysian Fields. (Photo by
Ray Jackson)
Will Vaughn led a balanced Joaquin scoring attack with 15 points, while hitting the boards hard for eight rebounds Friday night to lead the Rams to their first District 20-2A victory of the year, a convincing 45-28 victory over the Elysian Fields Yellowjackets in Ram Gymnasium.
The win enabled the Rams (16-8) to snap their two-game losing skid and to jump back into the league race with a 1-2 district record. Other District 20-2A scores from Friday included Tatum topping Waskom, 68-60, in a battle of the two unbeaten teams in the league competition, while Jefferson rolled past Harleton, 82,-47, to move into a second-place tie with Waskom.
Tatum is the only unbeaten team in the district with a 3-0 mark, followed by No.24-ranked Waskom and Jefferson, which are both one game back at 2-1. Harleton and Joaquin currently stand at 1-2 and are tied for fourth place, while Elysian Fields sits in fifth with a 0-3 record.
In addition to Vaughn's totals, Wyatt Hairgrove overcame a poor shooting performance, hitting just 4-of-15, to reach double figures with 11 points. Hairgrove also recorded team-highs with five assists and three steals.
Austin Bloodgood was 3-of-5 from the field for seven points, while Kain Yates threw in four and Hayden Ferguson, Za Cooper, Gage Belrose and P.J. Peterson each chipped in two points.
Joaquin won despite hitting just 33% (20-of-60) from the field and 4-of-8 (50%) from the charity stripe.
In addition to Vaughn's rebounding total, Cooper and Tra Rogers each pulled down three, Cody Runnels and Peterson both posted two and Yates, Belrose and Tristan Hairgrove had one rebound.
Cooper handed out four assists and Bloodgood had two.
The Rams committed only 13 turnovers in the game.
Joaquin took a slim 6-4 lead after the first quarter in a low-scoring first quarter. But the Rams exploded for 16 points in the second period to forge ahead 22-13 at the break.
The Rams maintained their lead in the third, leading 30-19 heading into the final eight minutes of play. JHS then outscored the 'Jackets 15-9 down the stretch.
The Rams will face a huge obstacle in their quest for a playoff spot on Tuesday night when they host Waskom at 7:30 p.m. Tatum will be at home to battle Harleton and Elysian Fields will visit Jefferson.