By Sedrick Bolton III December 6, 2022
HAMPTON Despite Wildcats' guard Demarco Davis scoring 20 points, Jonesboro had four players score double digits to get the 63-47 victory on the road.
Sr. JaQuez Akins (16 points), Sr. Devon Rainey (15 points), Sr. Malik Turman (1o points), and Jr. Montez Redding (10 points) combined for 51 of the 63 points for the Cardinals.
Jonesboro controlled this game with their ability to get out on the fast-break. Whether it came from a steal or off a rebound, players got the ball down the court for quick buckets. With each fast-break opportunity, the crowd anticpated the breakaway slam to get them off their seat.
The Wildcats 3-ball kept them in the game, but their fouling and sending Cardinal players to the free-throw line costed them. Through three quarters, Jonesboro attempted 18 free throws compared to Lovejoy's 11.
This Cardinals team came into the game 1st in their region and ranked No.4 in Georgia Class AAAAAA per Sandysspiel. They proved to be a challenge for the Wildcats.
"To beat a very good team like Jonesboro...you got to play tough basic stuff," said Lovejoy's Head Coach Willie Reese. "Guarding somebody off the dribble, a hard box out, lead a pass, those basic things."
Lovejoy had a better second half, getting to the line more and increasing their scoring output. But they continued to be plagued by turnovers which resulted in Jonesboro scoring in transition.
In the half-court, the Cardinals stretched the floor with seven 3's in the game with Turman and Akins leading the team with two each.
The Wildcats fall to 3-3 and will try to bounce back from this game.
"A nice hard practice tomorrow, a nice practice Thursday on the fundamental and just being in the spots where you're supposed to be in defensively," said Coach Reese. "And then offensive execution, running our offense and we got to rust the offense the whole way out."
The Lady Wildcats are on the road as they take on regional opponents Woodward Academy December 9.
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