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Straughn took two from Florala
Junior Varsity
Generally the junior varsity game is watched by the girls,
varsity, and some parents scattered throughout the bleachers,
but Tuesday Night the gym was packed in Florala for the debut of
Straughn's new basketball coach Todd Reynolds.
If the future of Tiger basketball is any indication of the way
the JV team played Tuesday Night against the Wildcats - you may
need shades. The Tigers took control of a game playing a very
physical Florala squad and looked great.
The first quarter was a slow start for both teams as Straughn's
JV took a 10 - 4 lead over the Wildcats. J. Avan had alll
the points for the Wildcats while Samuel paced the Tigers with 6
first half points. In the second quarter the defense
stepped up for the Tigers and McCarty did as well hitting
three 3 pointers leading Straughn to a 25-6 half-time lead.
The Tigers cruised in the second half outscoring the cats to win
their season opener 46 - 19. Tyler Johnson lead the
Wildcats with five points with three players at four.
Straughn's McCarty was the only player in double figures leading
all scores with 18. Samuel scored all six in the first
followed by Cohren and Byrd with five a piece.
Girls
Charles Dickens classic may have rewritten itself in title form
as the "tale of two halves" when the lady Tigers and Lady
Wildcats took the court. Florala controlled the opening
tip and never looked back as the size of the Wildcats back court
dominated the first quarter - blocking shots on defense and
posting points on offense.
6'1 center Chelsea Davis had two quick rebounds and passed the
ball out to Florala's Justina Clissold who hit the first points
of the game - a 15 foot jumper from the key. Jasmine
Harrison took to blocking shots and the Wildcats went on to lead
the first quarter as Reva Odom knocks down a three-pointer to
end the quarter with the Wildcats up 17-8 and in control of the
game.
Coach Kinsaul's Lady Tigers begin to fight back and with 4:59
left until half had outscored the Cats 5-8 and trailed 22-16.
Florala missed the front end of a one and one and Straughn
picked back up to cut the led by two. Florala gained
composure and a couple of blocked shots by Davis in the final
seconds kept Florala ahead at half 28-23.
"We didn't play well the first quarter" said Coach Kinsaul
"Florala used their height as an advantage and really took
control."
The second half, it was Straughn's defense that held Florala in
check and within the first few minutes Florala had six turnovers
and at 4:20 the Tigers took their first lead 35-37.
Back to back turnovers by Florala from Straughn's pressure
defense lead to four straight points from Andrea Sport.
Straughn's Taylor was then fouled and hit the front end got her
own rebound off the missed second shot for a three point swing
and extended the lead to 35-44.
Florala fought back and Davis hit five points for Florala and
blocked two shots as the Wildcats cut the lead to 45-50 at the
end of the third quarter.
The fourth period was all Straughn as the Wildcats started the
quarter with a turnover (steal by Sport) and ended the quarter
with a turnover (steal by Kayla Teal) as the Tigers defense was
too much. The Tigers defeated Florala 51-66 evening their
record 2-2 while Florala opened the season 0-1.
Chelsea Davis lead Florala with 21 points 15 rebounds and 4
steals and Reva Odom had 14. Jasmine Harrison had 8 points
and 18 rebounds in Florala loss. Andrea Sport lead the
Tigers comeback with 20 second half points and ended with 25.
Kayla Teel added 16 and Katy Messick had 10. Tiffany
Taylor had all six of her points in the second half as Straughn
used a twenty-seven point third quarter gain control and roll on
to a win.
Florala 17 - 28 - 45 - 51
Straughn 8 - 23 - 50 - 66
VARSITY
A packed house was ready for the opening season for both squads
as new Head Coach Reynolds and Florala's Brad Garner were both
leading senior dominated teams to the court. Florala has 9
seniors on a squad of eleven and Straughn featured seven seniors
and came out in all black as both sides erupted expecting a hard
fought, emotional game.
Straughn came out and established themselves first and doubled
up on Florala to take a quick 7-14 lead in the first quarter and
quieted the home fans. The game looked to mirror the girls
game that had preceded as Straughn used their size advantage and
down low post to take the quick lead with Trenton Driver scoring
three points with two and a foul.
At 5:56 remaining until half the Wildcats trailed 9-17, but went
on a 6 point run and at 5:01 trailed 15-17. Mitchell Myers
hit a layup for Straughn pushing the lead back to four, but
Calvin Mulkey hit two free throws to bring the game back to
17-19.
Straughn missed their next shot and a break away layup from
Mulkey gave Florala their first tie since the game started 19-19
at 3:25. Reggie Gundrum hit a lay-up after a missed
attempt from Straughn and the Wildcats took a 21-19 lead over
the visiting Tigers. Garrett Powell hit a layup to tie the
game until Florala's David Bass hit two free throws and
Stephon McLaughlin hit a three pointer with
1:17 and the Cats added two more for their 28-21 half time lead.
In the second half Florala extended their lead playing a
swarming defense and Straughn getting into foul trouble.
The teams swapped goals at the beginning, but Florala used
costly turnovers to build on their lead and at the end of the
third period had a 44-32.
Straughn had 33 teams fouls and four players fouled out of the
game in the second half, but the Tigers kept battling back.
"I'm proud of our team coming back from 12 down in the fourth
period to get to within two points, but we just didn't have the
players in the game at the end" said Reynolds. "Florala's
got a good team, but we've got to get better at executing and
following through with our plays."
Straughn fought back in the fourth and with 3:04 cut the lead to
53-51. Florala wend on an 8-2 run and ended the game
61-53.
Jakim Felton took over in the second half leading Straughn's
comeback with 14 of his 16 coming in the final two periods.
Mitchell Myers had 11 points, but foul out of the game.
Trenton Driver had all of his points in the first quarter as the
Wildcats shut down the inside game with their defense allowing
only 7 points total from the Drivers (Trevor's four).
Florala was paced by Reggie Gundrum's 19 and Calvin Mulkey's 12.
Michael Carson added 11 for the Wildcats who move to 1-0 for the
season.
Florala 7 28
44 61
Straughn 14 21 32 53
Florala shot 51 % from the free throw line and Straughn shot
52%. Florala was 19-37 while Straughn was 9-17.
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