MBB: 'Riders closing in on playoff spot, 61-51
teammate during Tuesday night's game against Central. The
'Riders captured a key 61-51 win over the Bulldogs to move
within one game of third place in the 18-3A standings. (Photo by
Ray Jackson)
CENTER, Tx -- If the Center Roughriders are going to claim a playoff spot in District 18-3A, the time to make a run is now. 'Riders head coach Hiram Harrison has been telling his troops all year that the key to getting in the playoffs was to win all of your home games, and except for a loss to Jasper on Jan. 13, they've done exactly that. CHS is 4-1 to date in league games in Roughrider Gymnasium.
The Central Bulldogs were the latest victims, as Center beat them here Tuesday night by a final score of 61-51 to move back into contention for a playoff berth. The victory moves the 'Riders (9-17) to 4-3 in league action and two games behind district leader Jasper (6-1), 1.5 games behind second-place Huntington (5-1) and one game back of third-place Hudson (5-2).
In other District 18-3A results from Tuesday night, Hudson knocked off Diboll, 82-76, and Jasper jumped on Kirbyville, 51-39. Huntington had an open date.
Central used a 8-2 run midway through the opening period to jump out to a six-point lead, but the 'Riders fought back to trail only 12-9 at the end of the quarter.
They then turned up the heat on defense and began forcing turnovers, which they transitioned into points. When they did set up their half-court offense, Jamarcus Suell was deadly from three-point range, drilling a pair of second-quarter treys to push the 'Riders out front 28-26 as the teams went to the locker room.
Center jumped into their half-court trap defense in the third quarter and used Bulldog turnovers to outscore their guests 12-6 and push the lead to 40-32 going into the fourth period.
The 'Riders continued to play aggressive defense in the fourth, and pushed the ball up the court quickly as they forced turnovers. Center then dialed it back in the final two minutes, as Central was forced to foul to stop the clock.
Fouling to stop the clock only works against poor free-throw shooting teams, however, and the 'Riders made 17-of-25 (68%) from the charity stripe on the night, compared to 17-of-31 (55%) for the Bulldogs.
Harrison was once again pleased with how his team defended its home court.
"Defense and free throws won this game tonight," the Center coach stated, "Central's got some kids that shoot the ball really well and we knew we couldn't let them get open shots. Our kids really stayed after them all night, forcing turnovers pushing them into mistakes.
"Then when we got to the line, we made them pay for the fouls by making our free throws. They are known as a good free throw shooting team, and to outshoot them by 13% is pretty sweet."
He elaborated on the playoff scenario.
"We've only got one home game left (Feb. 14 vs. Hudson), so to get one of those playoff spots we're going to have to win some on the road. The kids are working hard and getting better, so I think we can make it happen."
Junior forward DeJalen "Sleepy" Preston led the way for Center with 19 points, including 7-of-8 on free throws. Jamarcus Suell added ten while going a perfect 4-for-4 from the line. Jakiel Johnson scored nine and Darren Bolton added eight, while dishing out five assists. Tony McCollister added seven, while pulling down a team high nine rebounds.
The Roughriders will be involved in one of those key District 18-3A games on Friday night when they travel to Huntington for an 8 p.m. matchup. In other league contests, Central will host Diboll and Jasper will visit Hudson. Kirbyville has an open date.