Varsity Hurricanes Sweep Red Devils and Tigers

The Jasper County High School varsity basketball squads took care of business on home court last weekend with decisive victories over Jackson High School and Greene County High School.

On Friday, the Lady Canes demolished the Lady Red Devils with a 67-6 win – and that is not a typo. Madison Abbott scored 16 points; Mackenzie Tripp added 13 points; Alyssa Wilson, 8; Jaydin Thomas, 7; Alicia Tripp and Mia Jenkins, 6 each; Makya West, 5; Mackenzie Abbott, 4; Jameecia Thurman and Lacey Rutledge 2 each.

On Saturday, the Lady Tigers came to town and were defeated 47-31. Madison Abbott again led the team with 21 points, Mackenzie Abbott added 9; Thurman, 6; Jenkins, 4; Mackenzie Tripp had 4 points with several assists; and Thomas, 3.

“The Lady Canes played very hard this week,” said second year head coach Shakerria Middlebrooks. “I was very proud of some of the things I saw on the court. The girls have been working very hard at practice and it showed in the games on Friday and Saturday.”

The boys carried the momentum of each of the girls’ wins into their competitions going two-for-two this weekend. In the 78-60 win over the Red Devils, the Canes averaged 71 percent in free throw shooting, nabbed 25 total rebounds, 13 assists, 11 steals, four blocks and five charges.

Ashton Bonner was the leading scorer with 24 points while adding three rebounds, four assists, and two steals; C.J. Adams had 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals; Matthew Lawson had 13 points, six steals, two assists; Malik Crawford scored eight with three rebounds.

Other notable Friday night statistics include Richard Whitlock with five rebounds, one block, and four charges. Jakeir Stone had five rebounds and three blocks. Gavin Sands had four points while remaining perfect at the free throw line with one charge, an assist and a steal.

Against the Tigers, Bonner was again atop the points leader board with 28 while adding two steals, an assist, and a rebound. Lawson added 21 points, five steals, an assist, and a rebound. Crawford had 13 points, 11 rebounds, and a block. Adams scored 11 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and a block. Whitlock had eight points and seven rebounds.

Coach William “B..J.” Thomas has nothing but complimentary remarks for his squad on an individual and team level just seven games into the new season.

“Ashton Bonner is showing his ability to dominate a game, scoring wise, and is proving to be unstoppable in the open floor and when it comes to getting to the paint. C.J. Adams’ leadership as a point guard helps our offense tremendously. Malik Crawford is starting to round into form as an inside presence,” Coach Thomas remarked.

“But, Matthew Lawson has been the difference maker. He is the best on ball defender I have ever coached in 16 years and his insane effort leads to his offense as well. Overall, this is definitely one of, if not the hardest working team I’ve ever coached. Their effort is amazing,” noted the coach who has led the boys’ squad to consecutive state playoff appearances including a fun-filled ride to the Final Four last season.

The varsity squads will compete on the road this weekend with their first region competition at Banks County Friday, Dec. 9 followed by a non-region match- up at Jones on Saturday, Dec. 10. The junior varsity boys’ team will tip-off both days at 4:30 p.m. followed by the varsity girls at 6 p.m. and the varsity boys at 7:30 p.m.