ASU Mid-South rolling ahead of winter break
From ASU MID-SOUTH
asumidsouthsports.com
The ASU Mid-South Greyhounds have has an upand-down start to begin the 2024-25 Men’s Basketball Season, but the team has de_nitely been on the upswing lately, winning three straight games over the past nine days.
Greyhounds win first ever matchup against The Ridge Runners
In the _rst ever matchup against Phillips Community College University of Arkansas, ASU Mid-South hosted the Ridge Runners on Dec. 9.
“For the _rst 6 minutes of the game I was extremely proud with how we came out to play scoring 17 points in that time. The rest of the _rst half was not ideal though. We struggled taking care of the ball, just stopped playing unmotivated and we allowed them to crawl back into the game and give them momentum going into the half. We’re too good of an offensive team to only score 9 points in the remainder of the _rst half, so we’ll evaluate that in the _lm room tomorrow and make adjustments. 2nd half started out how we ended the _rst half just not being focused on what we’re supposed to do. We got Jermaine in the game early in the 2nd half, and he really provided a spark for us to really help turn things around for the remainder of the game. It was really good to see Samuel come and play with the con_dence we’ve been looking for. Same with Darren, I thought he played exceptional tonight and we needed it. Lastly, Taylor who stepped up and played really well. Those guys right there were very pivotal in marching leading us to a win. I’m really proud of them all, but we have to play for a full 40 minutes. We’ll get back to work tomorrow, and get ready for a really talented SEARK team on Thursday.” head coach Cody Hastings said after the game.
The Greyhounds got the scoring started early on a nice feed from Samuel Chapin to Davonta Tucker for a wide open layup to get the scoring started on the opening possession, followed by Hugh McFarland _nding a trailing Jaxson Yancy for a fast break 3. For the _rst few minutes for the Greyhounds, their defense was causing havoc for the Ridge Runners turning them over and forcing tough dif_cult shots gaining an early 10 point lead. That’s when things started to slow down for the Greyhounds as PCCUA just clawed their way back into the game and eventually only trailed ASU Mid-South 26-25 going into the break.
Both teams would start the second half trading baskets, before PCCUA would push their lead to 3 on a couple of separate occasions. Jermaine Christopher would _nd Darren Wallace for a 3 at the top of the key which would give the Greyhounds back the lead that they would not give back up. ASU Mid-South would push their lead all the way up to 15 on an offensive rebound put-back by Taylor Conner with just over 5 minutes remaining. The Ridge Runners were able to cut the lead to 7 with just under 2 minutes remaining, but the Greyhounds were able to withstand the comeback giving them an 75-65 victory.
PCCUA’s scoring leaders were Charleston Wallace with 16, Mitchell Hicks 15, Jeremiah Arnold with 14, and Malik Smith with 10.
ASU Mid-South was led by Jaxson Yancy who had 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds earning his _rst double double as a Greyhound. Samuel Chapin with his season high 15. Darren Wallace scored 12 and Taylor Conner rounded out the double digit scorers with 11 on a perfect 5 for 5 from the _eld. Hugh McFarland _nished with a game high 6 assists.
Greyhounds pick up big region win against SEARK
The Greyhounds hosted the Sharks of Southeast Arkansas on Dec. 12, in what would be the _rst ever meeting between the two schools, and it was tough battle between the two. In a game that saw many runs, the Greyhounds were able to make just a couple more plays in the end to hold off the Sharks.
“Wow. Just wow. What a game that was. That felt like a National Tournament like game. Two good teams battling all 40 minutes, each taking turns throwing blows at the other and the other team responding back. That game was a lot of fun. Hats off to coach Kline and his guys. They are really good, but how about our guys? Holy cow, I’m so proud of those guys. They competed their butts off. It was really good to Santana get going early for his con_dence. He’s struggled early, but I’m hoping this gets his con_dence back cause he can at out shoot it with the best of them. Jermaine with 20, and again he is really bringing that extra spark off the bench. Every single one of these guys really brought something and were a major factor in us earning the win at the end. We’ll get right back to work tomorrow and get ready for a good team in Jackson State on Saturday for our last home game of 2024.” head coach Cody Hastings had to say after the game.
Southeast Arkansas would start the scoring off nailing a 3, but the Greyhounds quickly responded going on a 10-0 run. The Greyhounds would eventually take a 2513 halfway through the _rst half, but Southeast Arkansas started to make their comeback trimming the lead to 3 on multiple occasions before ASU Mid-South took a 39-34 lead into the half.
As both teams emerged from their respective locker rooms for the 2nd half, it was the Sharks who quickly came out the gates and took a quick 49-44 giving them their largest lead of the game. As just as you expected, the Greyhounds started making their comeback going on a 9-2 run giving them the lead right back and they would not trail for the remainder of the game pushing their lead to 10 with 5 minutes remaining. The Sharks gave it everything they had and pulled the game back to 1 with just a minute remaining before Jermaine Christopher would get fouled by Caden Wallace. Christopher would hit both free throws pushing the lead to 3. The Greyhounds would play the free throw game, and Jaxson Yancy would give the Greyhounds a 4 point lead with 7 seconds remaining in the game sealing it for the home team.
Derek Magwood led Southeast Arkansas with 27 points and 7 rebounds. Jalen Brown had 13 points and 12 rebounds. Tobias Prall ended with 19 shooting 5-9 from 3. Israel Malone rounded out the double _gure scorers for the Sharks with 10.
Jermaine Christopher came off the bench and led the Greyhounds with 20 points and 6 assists. Jaxson Yancy and Santana Spivey both went for 19 shooting a combined 11-20 from 3. Yancy also led the Greyhounds with 7 rebounds.
Greyhounds pick up third straight victory
In their _nal home game of the season, the ASU Mid-South Greyhounds are riding a two game winning streak. They welcomed in the Green Jays of Jackson State who were looking to avenge a bad loss to these Greyhounds from a year ago, and they gave ASU Mid-South all they wanted.
“What a way to close out a 3 game home stretch. Having a quick turnaround for our guys after the heavy weight matchup we played Thursday night and be able to pull it out is gutsy by our guys. They know we didn’t play to our full potential, and I believe that’s where a lot of frustration was coming from throughout the game, but like I said they were mentally tough enough to make the plays when it mattered most. They get a much deserved day off tomorrow before we get right back to work Monday and prepare for Northeast Mississippi.” head coach Cody Hastings said after the win.
ASU Mid-South jumped out to a quick 18-6 lead before the Green Jays responded with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 5. Once again, the Greyhound found their groove pushing the lead up to 14 just over halfway through the 1st half. The Green Jays threw a zone at the Greyhounds late in the _rst half which would slow down their offense, but eventually the Greyhounds were able to _nd their spots to give them a 49-42 lead going into halftime.
As the 2nd half got started Jackson State immediately cut into the lead. It didn’t seem to phase the Greyhounds as they would push the score to 64-49 giving them their largest lead of the game. Here is where you could tell the Greyhounds might have been running out of gas, as Jackson State would come all the way back to take a quick 73-72 lead over ASU Mid-South with 7:34 remaining in the game before Davonta Tucker would go 2 for 2 from the free throw line to give the Greyhounds the lead right back and would not trail again taking a 9288 win over Jackson State.
Jackson State was led by Elijah Lussier’s 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Jerry Taylor Jr.’s 10 points and 11 rebounds. Rodgerick Robinson Jr scored 21 for the Green Jays, and Blake Garner pitched in 10.
ASU Mid-South was led by Hugh McFarland’s 15 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. Jaxson Yancy led the Greyhounds in scoring with 22, while Santana Spivey scored 20 points off the bench. CJ Washington missed another double double by just 1 rebound scoring 11 points and grabbing 9 boards. Taylor Conner pitched in 7 off the bench.
What’s next?
The Greyhounds move to 8-8 on the season, and will look to keep that momentum going when they begin the 2025 portion of their schedule following the winter break. ASU Mid-South will return to action on Monday, January 6, 2025, when they face SAU Tech on the road in a conference match-up. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m., following the women’s game.
Taylor Conner (23), a freshman out of Jacksonville, jams home two points for the Greyhounds in ASU Mid-South’s third straight win, a victory over Jackson State Community College.
Photo courtesy of ASU Mid-South
