Dawgs fall short with H-J 87-80
Jasper tied for third with Orangefield
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S DOMINIQUE BAILEY glides to the bucket during the Bulldogs 68-57 victory over West Orange- Stark.

Dominique Bailey and Kwame Spikes put on quite a show Friday night at Hardin-Jefferson where Bailey scored 32 points and Spikes followed with 24 in a hot contest that ended with the Hawks besting the Bulldogs 87- 80.

"It was the best played game by any team that I have ever coached," Coach Terry Young said. "The kids demonstrated poise, confidence, great effort and teamwork. The shooting exhibition put on by Bailey and Spikes was one for the ages. On this night, they represented all that is good about high basketball."

With three games remaining on the schedule, the District 21-3A boys basketball race has Jasper and Orangefield tied for third place at 8-3 and Hardin-Jefferson and Silsbee in a dead heat at 10-1. Silsbee knocked off H-J last week to produce the first place tie.

The Bulldogs led the Hawks 20-16 in the first quarter. H-J outpaced Jasper in the second 24-23, producing a 43-40 Bulldog advantage at the half.

Jaren Bronson scored eight points, followed by William Ellis, seven; Christian Goff, four; and D.J. Jackson, two.

Tuesday night, Jasper downed West Orange- Stark 68-57.

The 'Dogs took an early lead, ending the first quarter up 20-11, and retained a 32-25 lead at the half. At the end of the third period, they still had the upper hand at 50-38.

"One of most important goals in district is to win a home game and we were able to do that against a very athletic team," Young said. "To Coach Quinn's credit, they have adjusted their playing style since our first game against them, and it is paying great dividends for them. He has opened up the floor and is allowing his athletes to use their speed and quickness on defense and they made a stronger effort to utilize the dribble drive."

Bailey led the scoring with 21 points, followed by Roderick Kyles, 13; Spikes, 10; Ellis, seven; Jackson, six; Goff, five; and Cameron Stubblefield, four.

Jasper played Silsbee last night at home and will meet Kirbyville on the road Friday. The final regulation district game is Tuesday, Jan. 12, when the Bulldogs face the Orangefield Bobcats to determine third place.