Dawgs claim wins over Kirbyville, Orangefield
By GEORGIA PURDY

JASPER'S AARON GARRETT goes high for a rebound during last week's contest with Orangefield. The Bulldogs defeated Orangefield to move into fourth place in District 21-3A with big contests coming this week against leaders Silsbee and West Orange-Stark.

Jasper varisty Bulldogs took two district games against both Kirbyville and Orangefield last week, leaving them solidly in fourth place.

Orangefield came to Jasper Friday determined to win. Coming off a close eight-point loss to Silsbee, they were fired up and posed a formidable threat. But Jasper pulled away late from the Bobcats for a 58-50 victory.

The Bulldogs led 19-13 at the end of the first quarter after being tied once.

In the second quarter, Orangefield came back to tie the 'Dogs 21-21. Jasper briefly recaptured the lead at 24-21 and then lost it again with the Bobcats going up by three points. A goal by Allen Coleman put the Bulldogs within one point before Orangefield struck again.

With the score at 29-26, Jasper fouled, giving their opponents two free throw points and a 31-26 advantage. With seconds on the clock, Kwame Spikes fired a three-point shot and Jasper was back in the game at the half, trailing 31-29. Orangefield scored 18 points in the second period to the Bulldogs 10.

Orangefield took the lead in the third quarter. Buckets by Roman Roman Land and Desmond Smith kept Jasper close. At 39-36, Keith Graham picked up a free-throw to put them at 39-37, but a three-pointer gave Orangefield the advantage at 42-37. Smith scored again but the opponents had time to for another trey to end the third quarter at 45-39 with Orangefield picking up 12 points and the Jasper 12.

At 48-39 in the fourth period, Dominique Bailey hit a two-point shot, then captured a defensive rebound, sprinted down court to score again, leaving the Bulldogs trailing 48-43. After an Orangefield turnover, Aaron Garrett hit a three-pointer to bring the 'Dogs to 48-46 and Jasper was back in the game again.

After a couple of turnovers and another Bobcat score, Land fired a bank shot and Garrett put it in. The game was tied 50-50. Graham hit two free throws to put Jasper ahead by one point.

Bailey got two free-throws and with less than 40 seconds on the clock, Orangfield has the ball when Land snagged a defensive rebound and was fouled bringing the ball down court. He sank two at the free-throw line and Jasper is up 55-50. Land fired the last shot and the Bulldogs come away with the win, scoring 19 points in the fourth quarter and holding the Bobcats to five.

"We shot 10/15 from the free throw line for 67 percent," coach Terry Young said. " I was really impressed with the Orangefield program and how well their kids played fundamentally. Kwame Spikes did a good job for us as his shot is something we will need to utilize more of as we face zone defenses. I also thought Aaron Garrett, Desmond Smith, and Roman Land played very physical."

Keith Graham led Jasper's scoring effort with 13 points, followed by Land, 12; Spikes and Smith seven; and Bailey, six.

They defeated the Wildcats Tuesday night by a narrow margin of 46-45 and allowed Kirbyville's top shooter to score 30 points.

With quarter leads of 14-7 and 10-9, Jasper led 24-16 at the half. Kirbyville came back in the third period, sinking 21 points to Jasper's 12 and taking a 37-36 lead.

Both teams played even in the fourth. Jasper scored 10 to Kirbyville's eight.

Keith Graham was high point with 12, followed by Dominique Bailey and Roderick Kyles with 10 each. Danterio Anderson had six; DJ Jackson and Roman Land contributed four each.

"We're on target to a 6-3 district record as we have already started preparing for the 'Big Three'," Young said.

West Orange-Stark, Hardin-Jefferson and Silsbee are tied at 6-1; Jasper is 4-3; Kirbyville, Orangefield and Hamshire Fannett are 2-4; Bridge City is 0-7.

Junior varsity defeated Orangefield 65-39.

Malcolm Bronson led with 18 points, followed by Jyames Mouton, eight; Ryan Gaston, seven; Jeff Beatty and Ryan Bronson, six each.

The freshman team lost 43-29.

Jasper played Bridge City last night and will be at home against Hamshire-Fannett Friday, Jan. 26