Battle looms with WO-S for third place
By GEORGIA PURDY

JASPER'S DANTERIO ANDERSON battles a Hamshire-Fannett player for a rebound during the Bulldogs' 66-44 victory last week.

The Jasper Bulldogs posted two wins last week and are now tied with West Orange-Stark for third place in the district. The Mustangs lost 63-58 to Silsbee in overtime Friday night, their second loss to the Tigers.

"I am surprised this happened given all the hype surrounding West Orange," coach Terry Young said. "We feel good about what we can do against WO-S considering that we lost the first game by only 11 points and gave up 30 offense rebounds that lead to 28 of their points. We also missed nine lay-ups, had 16 turnovers and shot 0-13 from the two and three point line in the fourth quarter and missed 17 freethrows."

Young said that he thinks Jasper is the only team on the remaining schedule that has any chance of unseating the Mustangs for third place.

"If we play hard and improve in most of those areas, we have a fighting chance," he said. "We can play with all three teams if we believe we can, control the boards and play hard for 32 minutes."

Jasper won 46-26 over Bridge City Tuesday and 66-44 against Hamshire- Fannett Friday.

In the Bridge City game, the Bulldogs led 12-6 at the end of the first quarter and were up 23-10 at the half. They scored 11 points to Bridge City's seven in the third quarter and 12-nine in the fourth. The 'Dogs shot 10/15 or 67 percent from the free-throw line.

Keith Graham was high point with 10 plus one assist, one block, four deflections, two defensive and offensive rebounds, and two steals.

Dominique Bailey had eight points, one assist, eight deflections, three defensive rebounds, one offensive and a steal. Aaron Garrett scored seven points, with three assists, three deflections, three steals, and one each defensive and offensive rebound.

Desmond Smith scored six points, with one assist, four defensive rebounds, two deflections, and two steals. Kwame Spikes also had six points with two assists and two deflections.

On defense, Roman Land grabbed four defensive rebounds and one offensive plus three deflections, one block and three steals.

The Bulldogs outscored Hamshire Fannett 20-13, 12-6, 15-8 and 19-17.

Bailey led with 16 points, followed by Smith, 13; Roderick Kyles, seven; Garrett, Land, and Danterio Anderson had six each. The remainder of the Bulldog bench also contributed points.

On defense, D'Janerio Jackson (DJ) led with 11 rebounds, followed by Danterio Anderson, eight; Garrett and Terrance Avant, six each; Land, five; Turner, Kyles, and Smith had four each.

Bailey, Anderson, and Land had three steals each.

Junior varsity also won 64-24 over Hamshire- Fannett and shut them out in the fourth quarter. They are 6-2 in district and 14-9 for the season.

Malcolm Bronson led the scoring with 18 points, followed by John Hadnot, 10; Michael Brewer, Cameron Stufflefield, and Christian Goff had six each.

Jasper played West Orange-Stark last night and will go up against Hardin- Jefferson Friday night in the Bulldog gym. At the end of last Friday's play, Hardin-Jefferson and Silsbee were tied 8-1 for first place.