Bulldogs fall to EPC at home

Bulldogs fall to EPC at home

Earle drops second straight game

By Mark Randall

news @ theeveningtimes .com

Earle head basketball Coach Carl Miller was worried that East Poinsett County would be motivated to come in and steal back a game on Earle’s home court.

And that’s exactly what they did.

Defensive lapses and foul trouble by the Bulldogs (11-8, 7-2) in the fourth period allowed the Warriors (8-9, 3-2) to come away with a 55-46 victory Friday in 2A-6 senior boys basketball, handing Earle its second home loss in a row.

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“We played three quarters of defense then had a meltdown in the fourth period,” Miller said. “That will get you beat every time when you don’t get out there and play defense.”

Earle led 14-9 after the first period, but EPC managed to narrow that leas to 24-23 at halftime. The two teams swapped leads back and forth throughout the third period. EPC pulled ahead 40-35 with :40 seconds remaining in the third, but pulled to 38-40 to end the third on a three pointer by Jermayne Johnson.

Kevon Smith gave Earle the lead back to start the four sinking a three pointer to make it 41-40 and stretched it to 4-43 , but Earle got into foul trouble which led to nine unanswered points – four of which came on free throws – in the final minute and a half of the game for a 5546 win for EPC.

Lavonta Taylor scored 18 points for EPC. Jamario Burris and Jonathan Gilmore chipped in 13 points for the Warriors.

Miller blamed poor defensive play for the losses.

EPC was able to hit key three pointers to wipe out leads and hit their free throws all night.

“I told them a halftime that the game isn’t over,” Miller said. I said it’s still zero-zero. This was a learning moment. I can’t play defense for them. And when you don’t go out there and do what you’re told, this is the end result.

We have got to finish the game.”

Miller said losing backto- back games at homes is tough, but not the end for Earle.

“We got them at their place. We knew they were going to come in here and try and get this one,” Miller said. “And they did. Taking back to back home losses is tough. But we’re going to be fine. We’re second in the conference. We’ve just got to finish up strong.”

Darius Cisero led Earle with 14 points. Jermayne Johnson added 13 points for the Bulldogs.

The Earle Bulldogs have two-game slide is the first team all season.

dropped two straight. The back-to-back losses for the

Photo by Mark Randall