2016 Patriot Classic tips off

2016 Patriot Classic tips off

Local schools' boys and girls basketball teams showcase their talent for fans for the first time this season

sports@theeveningtimes.com

Marion held its annual Patriot Classic basketball tournament last night at Patriot Arena.

The Earle Bulldogs boys basketball team took the floor against East Poinsett County in a rematch of last year's 2A State Championship game. After trailing EPC 18-10 at the end of the first quarter, the bulldogs were able to fight back to make it a one possession game going into the half, trailing 32-29. Billy Murray, who finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds for the bulldogs, sparked the rally towards the end of the first half. East Poinsett County began to pull away in the third quarter as EPC went on a 17-8 run.

With 3:05 left to play in the fourth quarter Earle once again cut the lead to a six-point margin. However, despite the efforts of Murray and teammate Travis Rodgers, who finished the game with 14 points, East Poinsett County managed to get revenge for last year's state championship loss to Earle, defeating the raining champions by a score of 66-58 victory. Earle Head coach, Billy Murray, remains optimistic about the upcoming season.

“It was a good learning experience. I'd like to play it again. I think it's going to be a good season. I have my work cut out for me but as soon as I get my whole team put together and the right chemistry together, the bulldogs are back,” Murray said.

The Marion High School girls basketball team also made their first appearance of the year last night, facing off against Little Rock-Parkview. The patriot girls started the year off on the right foot by defeating Parkview 55-52.

Marion held onto a slim lead at the half after Parkview made a 3 at the buzzer to cut Marion's lead to 28-26. The game would remain throughout until Morgan Christian scored a basket to put Marion up 5550 with under a minute remaining.

Marion girls basketball head coach, Shunda Johnson, believed that basket was a turning point late in the game.

“That sparked us and defiantly made us feel more comfortable down the stretch. Our confidence level is better than it normally is this time of year. They gave us a lot of energy and they looked like they were having fun. We want them to have some confidence, stay humble, but still have some fun,” Johnson said.

Christian finished the game with 18 points, 8 of which came in the fourth quarter. Jakyya Clay also played a key role in the patriot girls success, contributing 17 points on the night.

The Marion patriot girls will look to continue winning tonight against Earle as the Patriot Classic continues.

The Marion boys basketball team was not able to enjoy the same success as the girl's team, loosing 7666 to Horn Lake in the patriots first appearance of the year.

The patriots led after the first quarter 17-16 but were outscored by 13 points in the second quarter, surrendering a 44-32 half-time lead to Horn Lake.

Marion boys basketball head coach, Irving Clay, noticed a several things that led to the second quarter collapse.

“We had turnovers and we didn't get back on defense, so all those things contributed to us getting behind early in the second quarter,” Clay said.

Thanks in large part to three 3-point shots made by Martinez Harper the patriots pulled back within six with 3:13 remaining in the game. However, the patriots were unable to keep the rally alive.

Martinez and sophomore Keyshawn Woods both finished the game with 15 point, respectively. Timothy Ceaser and senior, Shaun Doss, both contributed 13 points apiece in the patriots loss.

Regardless of the loss, Clay refuses to worry about the team going forward.

“We're not going to panic. This is our first game and we'll go back to the drawing board. We're just going to do some things differently and ask our people to play within themselves. It's about getting some games under our belt and playing smarter,” Clay said.

By Collins Peeples