Varsity ‘Cane Boys Pick Up Third Win
The Varsity ‘Canes picked up their third win of the season Tuesday evening when they defeated Pike County 97-81, to remain undefeated at home and improve their season record to 3-1.
The Pirates, however, proved difficult to sink and kept rallying until late in the game.
The ‘Canes led by eight points early, but saw that lead sink to just one point when the first quarter ended with them leading 22-21, but went on to lead 50-40 at half time.
The Pirate team came out strong in the beginning of the second half and scored seven unanswered points and took the lead in the game for the first time with five minutes left in the third quarter. The ‘Canes battled back and led 72-62 when the quarter ended, and the game was never close after that.
Head Coach Steve Spurell explained how the ‘Canes finally put the Pirates away. “We turned up the defensive effort in the second half. I was thoroughly disappointed with our defense in the first half. Offensively we played well again, like we’ve done all year. I just want us to be better defensively. That’s how you win and that’s what we have to start doing. Everybody got playing time tonight and everybody put some points on the board.”
It was truly a team effort as all 13 players scored. Nick Standifer and Keldrick Davis led with 16 points each, followed by Markese Thurman with 15, James Lawrence with 10, Octavious Epps with seven, Josh Thompson with six, Coddy Carter and B. J. Ross with 5 each, Alton Standifer, Lance Dennis and Chill Gude with four each, Alex Puckett with three, and Clint LaVaughn with two.
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The team also traveled to Jackson last Friday and defeated the Class AAA Red Devils in triple overtime 71-64. Head Coach Steve Spurell said the ‘Canes just made the plays they needed to make at the end to win the game.
“I think both teams were at the point of exhaustion, but we scored first in the third overtime. Then they didn’t score and we scored again and hit a free throw. Both teams were so tired that I thought whichever one scored first in the last over time would win, and fortunately that was us. Plus we finished it off with two more free throws.”
N. Standifer led the scoring with 22 points, followed by Thurman with 13, Epps with 10, Carter and Lawrence with eight each, Davis with four, and Thompson and Dennis with two each.
There was no rest for the ‘Canes. After their over time victory in Jackson they traveled to Putnam County on Saturday and lost a close game to the Class AA War Eagles 68-64. Coach Spurell felt the team was a little flat after their triple over time and only went 10 for 25 at the free throw line, which could have cost them the win.
“It was another very close game. We went to their place and were behind big at the end of first quarter when they had us 20-9. We clawed and clawed and got all the way back and tied the game us with less than a minute left.
After that we had a shot that went about half-way down but then came out, and we missed a couple of free throws that could have won the game. We had our opportunity to win the game.
“Another thing that hurt us was when Davis, who played very well, got a cut over his eye with about five minutes left in the fourth quarter and he was done for the night. The highlight of the night was when we put B. J. Ross in the game. He did a tremendous job for us in the fourth quarter and I was very pleased with his performance.
“Both teams, Jackson and Putnam, are very good teams and I wouldn’t be surprised if Putnam won their region. I was extremely pleased with the team’s performance in both games and we’re looking forward to getting another shot at Putnam at home next Tuesday night.”
Scoring in the Putnam game was led by Thurman with 13 points, followed by N. Standifer with 12, Carter with 11, Thompson with seven, Epps with five, Dennis, Davis and Lawrence with four each, and Ross with three.
The ‘Canes are scheduled to travel to Taliaferro County tomorrow night, and for a rematch with Putnam next Tuesday, December, 12. Both games are scheduled to get under way at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The boys JV ‘Canes, after losing to Jackson and Putnam County last week, lost again to Pike County on Tuesday 36-33. Their next game isn’t scheduled until Friday, January 5, at home versus Hancock Central.
The Boys Middle School ‘Canes lost their first two games to Youth and Carver, and played their third game last night versus Morgan, and are scheduled to travel to Social Circle for a game tomorrow. All games are scheduled to begin at approximately 5:45 p.m. immediately following the girls’ game.