Jasper faces Orangefield for playoffs
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

JASPER'S DJ JACKSON soars high to contest a rebound taken by a Silsbee player. Silsbee ran over Jasper 98-45 last week before the Bulldogs bounced back on Friday with a crucial win over Kirbyville. Pictured right, Dominique Bailey soars above the crowd en route to the bucket during last Tuesday's contest.

Jasper remained in the hunt for third place and a shot at the playoffs after splitting with Silsbee and Kirbyville last week. As of Friday night's 57-45 win over the Wildcats, the Bulldogs are a halfgame ahead of Orangefield.

Jasper played the Bobcats last night at home, and a win will clinch a third place district finish. A loss will mean playing them again Friday.

The Bulldogs trailed Kirbyville 13-12 at the end of the first quarter, then overcame the deficit in the second period, outscoring the Cats 21-10 which gave them a 33- 23 lead at the half.

Jasper's outstanding shooting guard Dominique Bailey came out with an ankle injury at the end of the second quarter, not a good situation for the 'Dogs as he has been a key weapon all season.

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy

Both teams played an exceptionally low-scoring game in the third period, Jasper shooting only eight points to Kirbyville's four. But they were back in action in the fourth quarter, the 'Dogs with 20 points to the Cats' 14.

"Despite losing Bailey at the very end of the second quarter to an ankle injury, we were able to pull off the win," Coach Terry Young said. "Unfortunately for us, we may be without him for a game or more. However, that represents great opportunity for other players. It's time for them to step up and be accountable and play to and beyond their potentials. Our goal remains the same. We are expecting to be playing play-off ball next week and anything else will be a very disappointing conclusion to this season."

Bailey and Kwame Spikes turned in identical scores of 14 points each. In addition, Bailey had five steals, one assist and one defensive rebound. Spikes stole the ball three times, with two defensive rebounds and three assists.

Cameron Stubblefield scored 11 points with one defensive rebound; Jaren Bronson followed with10 points and three defensive rebounds, three assists and a steal.

JASPER'S KWAME SPIKES dribbles around a pair of Silsbee defenders during last week's loss to Silsbee. Spikes will be counted on this week as the Bulldogs battle Orangefield for a playoff berth and sophomore Dominique Bailey on the shelf with an ankle injury. Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy

Christian Goff and Roderick Kyles led the rebound effort with four each; DJ Jackson had three defensive rebounds. Goff also had four points and one charge drawn. Kyles had one basket and one assist.

William Ellis also contributed two points, and one each offensive and defensive rebound. Timoti Cauley, who moved up from JV when varsity lost two players at the end of the last grading period, had one steal.

Jasper's 98-46 loss to the Silsbee Tigers last Tuesday was not only a disappointment but the lowest number of points the Bulldogs have scored all year.

"Obviously, we were very disappointed with the outcome of this game," Young said. "I thought we relied too much on the three point shot on a night in which the goal appeared to have a lid on it. Coach Williams and his staff had their kids ready to go and they have them playing the best basketball in our district as of late."

Player frustration was obvious as shot after shot, even those in the lane, failed to sink. The Tigers also did an excellent job of deflecting the ball, both on the attempted shot and on the dribble. Jasper couldn't seem to get past those long arms reaching in, under, and over to disrupt the Bulldogs' play.

"I visited with Coach Williams this past Saturday and one of the things I pointed out to him was how well his kids used their hands," Young said. "They did an excellent job of disrupting the dribble penetration.

"One of the first things you should do to to quit dribbling so much and utilize people coming off screening action versus dribbling. I really believe they focused on this as a result of Kwame and Dominique's desires to create offense off the dribble drive.

The kids were frustrated. I've told them before that when your game hinges on whether or not you make the first shot, it limits your effectiveness and kills your confidence. When that one thing is not working, you have to create easier shots, for instance, and play great defense- do a good job on rebounding and getting the assist and also passing and movement."

Silsbee and Hardin- Jefferson still lead the district at 12-1 each. As of last Friday's games, Jasper is 9-4 and Orangfield is 8-5.