By Nick Brockman, Messenger Staff Report nbrockman@the-messenger.com
MORTONS GAP -- During the summer months, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees take dominance as the most heated rivalry in sports. That didn't stop the boys basketball teams from Madisonville-North Hopkins and Hopkins County Central from tangling in a scrimmage Tuesday afternoon, though.
Central and North faced off in the first of several varsity and junior varsity scrimmages spanning Tuesday and today at Storm Gym. The Storm won the event's first contest against the Maroons, 65-62.
Several coaches from both teams donned t-shirts and shorts as they paced back and forth courtside, but that didn't mean the play on the floor was lax.
"It might be a casual atmosphere, but the kids are always going to compete," North coach Marty Cline said. "It's just a pride thing. They want to compete against their cross-town buddies."
North held an 18-17 advantage after the first quarter with eight points coming from Maroon junior Dylan Basham.
The game featured 20 lead changes and seven ties, but Central jumped ahead with 4:52 remaining and never let go. Storm guard Je'Vonte Hughes gave Central a five-point lead with a breakaway layup with 2:48 to play. It was the largest lead of the game for either team.
The Maroons trailed by one point with 34 seconds remaining, but Central held on for a homecourt win.
Central and North faced off in the first of several varsity and junior varsity scrimmages spanning Tuesday and today at Storm Gym. The Storm won the event's first contest against the Maroons, 65-62.
Several coaches from both teams donned t-shirts and shorts as they paced back and forth courtside, but that didn't mean the play on the floor was lax.
"It might be a casual atmosphere, but the kids are always going to compete," North coach Marty Cline said. "It's just a pride thing. They want to compete against their cross-town buddies."
North held an 18-17 advantage after the first quarter with eight points coming from Maroon junior Dylan Basham.
The game featured 20 lead changes and seven ties, but Central jumped ahead with 4:52 remaining and never let go. Storm guard Je'Vonte Hughes gave Central a five-point lead with a breakaway layup with 2:48 to play. It was the largest lead of the game for either team.
The Maroons trailed by one point with 34 seconds remaining, but Central held on for a homecourt win.
Both teams began a new era as North graduated seven seniors, including Mr. Basketball Jon Hood, and Central lost 6-9 big man Chuck Jones and the school's all-time assist leader Cory Coble.
"We're a guard-oriented team, there's no doubt about it," Central coach Matt Bell said of his lineup. "I really like way our two sophomores are stepping up in Jake Hopper, who got some minutes late last year, and Jaylen Baxter. Those guys make us better just because we shouldn't turn the ball over as much."
Hopper exhibited his range as well by knocking down a number of 3-point baskets.
Cline also discussed his team's new approach without Hood.
"Well, we can't say give it to Jon and get out of the way anymore, so we have to make some changes," he said. "We're going through some of that stuff obviously not just with his ability, but also his size and rebounding.
"Those are things we have to make up and we're trying to figure out how we're going to do that. That's what this stuff is for."
North's big man Basham took the scoring responsibility and finished with a game-high 19 points. Basham also recorded seven rebounds and sank two 3-point attempts.
Maroons Robert Hatchett (11) and Logan Waide (10) joined Basham in double figures.
Shaquille Jernigan impressed during the contest as well with a team-high 12 points for Central. Daniel Croft tallied a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Hughes and Riley each finished in double digits with 11 points.
North will play Warren Central at noon today, and Central will play the Dragons at 2 p.m. today.
North 18 13 12 19 -- 62
Central 17 15 12 21 -- 65
North: Dylan Basham 19, Robert Hatchett 11, Logan Waide 10, Daylan Jones 5, Seth Ashby 4, Denzel Johnson 4, Isiah White 3, Jaylyn Combs 2, William Ellis 2, Joe Kington 2.
Central: Shaquille Jernigan 12, Je'Vonte Hughes 11, Josh Riley 11, Daniel Croft 10, Jake Hopper 9, Jaylen Baxter 4, Jesse Almon 4, Blake Mitchell 3, Jordan Todd 1.
"We're a guard-oriented team, there's no doubt about it," Central coach Matt Bell said of his lineup. "I really like way our two sophomores are stepping up in Jake Hopper, who got some minutes late last year, and Jaylen Baxter. Those guys make us better just because we shouldn't turn the ball over as much."
Hopper exhibited his range as well by knocking down a number of 3-point baskets.
Cline also discussed his team's new approach without Hood.
"Well, we can't say give it to Jon and get out of the way anymore, so we have to make some changes," he said. "We're going through some of that stuff obviously not just with his ability, but also his size and rebounding.
"Those are things we have to make up and we're trying to figure out how we're going to do that. That's what this stuff is for."
North's big man Basham took the scoring responsibility and finished with a game-high 19 points. Basham also recorded seven rebounds and sank two 3-point attempts.
Maroons Robert Hatchett (11) and Logan Waide (10) joined Basham in double figures.
Shaquille Jernigan impressed during the contest as well with a team-high 12 points for Central. Daniel Croft tallied a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Hughes and Riley each finished in double digits with 11 points.
North will play Warren Central at noon today, and Central will play the Dragons at 2 p.m. today.
North 18 13 12 19 -- 62
Central 17 15 12 21 -- 65
North: Dylan Basham 19, Robert Hatchett 11, Logan Waide 10, Daylan Jones 5, Seth Ashby 4, Denzel Johnson 4, Isiah White 3, Jaylyn Combs 2, William Ellis 2, Joe Kington 2.
Central: Shaquille Jernigan 12, Je'Vonte Hughes 11, Josh Riley 11, Daniel Croft 10, Jake Hopper 9, Jaylen Baxter 4, Jesse Almon 4, Blake Mitchell 3, Jordan Todd 1.
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