Bulldog Xmas Classic briefs

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 21, 2012 1:46 PM

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Cleveland 65

* The Eagles held a five-point advantage at halftime and opened the third quarter with a 7-2 run behind Raynor and slashing scoring guard Josh Davis.

Cleveland responded with a 15-6 run that ended on Chase Jackson's second NBA-range 3-pointer with 2 1/2 minutes remaining in the period. Jackson, Jesse Olmstead and Gilbert King combined for four 3-pointers during the surge that nearly erased the Eagles' biggest lead of the game.

The Rams trailed 47-46.

"Number 10 (Chase) for them, I don't know his name, but he hit some deep 3-pointers to cut the lead," Rosewood head coach Daniel Mitchell said. "They hit some big shots. They battled and fought, and I thought it was a pretty intense game."

Raynor closed out the period with back-to-back baskets.

Cleveland (2-10 overall) stayed within striking distance early in the final period. The Eagles' Jon Hare drained a jumper just inside the 3-point line, Davis scored in transition and Raynor added a basket to make it 60-55 with 4:44 to go.

The Rams pulled to within 60-57, but Rosewood's backcourt of Davis and Dee Mabry smartly fed the ball to Raynor, who hit two key baskets which helped preserve the lead.

Raynor eclipsed his season high of 28 set earlier this season in the Eagles' first meeting with Midway.

"Jy really got to the basket tonight a lot and finished well," Mitchell said.

Dennis Mitchell added 11 points for Rosewood.

Olmstead, King and Austin Jacobs knocked down 11 points apiece for the Rams. Jackson contributed 10.

Princeton 71,

Spring Creek 40

* Playing a sophomore-ladened starting lineup, Spring Creek dictated the tempo and produced a slim, one-point lead early in the second quarter against Princeton.

But Cobb warmed up from outside the 3-point arc, the Bulldogs started to force the action and the game's complexion completely changed. Cobb and Will Toler combined three 3-pointers during a 16-2 run that put Princeton comfortably ahead 27-14 with 3:48 remaining before halftime.

"After the first quarter, I was really pleased with how we played," Bulldogs head coach Jeff Davis said. "We tend to dribble aimlessly, but we did a much better job of passing the ball and getting good shots."

The Dogs also played defense.

Davis' group drew six offensive fouls which created trouble for the Gators throughout the second half. Tre Hammonds, who scored 11 first-half points, watched from the bench during the third quarter and tallied just one second-half bucket.

"That was big," Davis said.

Daniel Krentz's 3-pointer off Chad Spurgeon's assist trimmed Princeton's lead to 41-29 with six minutes left in the third period. Cobb drained four consecutive 3-pointers and the Dogs led 54-30 just two minutes later.

"I think he puts a lot of pressure on himself and he's been rushing his shot, but he can really score when he shoots the ball in rhythm," Davis said. "I think he feels like he needs to score for us to win and he gets in a hurry sometimes."

The game turned extremely physical in the fourth quarter and players, at times, had to be separated. The Gators (3-6) were whistled for 28 total fouls, including two double technicals which resulted in lost possessions and led to baskets for the Bulldogs.

Three Spring Creek players fouled out.

Despite the loss, Gators' head coach Taylor Jones remained upbeat and delivered a positive message to his young team in the locker room after the game.

"I felt like we got a little out of control and I think that's because they wanted it so bad ... battled really hard," Jones said. "I told them tonight the scoreboard wasn't indicative of how well I thought we played."

Girls

Princeton 47,

Spring Creek 27

* Guard Charley Cox kept everybody involved in the offense and Princeton capitalized turnovers during its first-quarter spurt.

Cox shared game-high scoring honors with 12 points, dished out five assists, pulled down five rebounds and picked the Gators for six steals.

Savanna Massengill contributed 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot. Jaclyn Farrior knocked down nine points, while Tori Paul came off the bench to score eight points.

Alyssa Borja led the Gators with 12 points, six rebounds, five steals and one assist. Teammates Amber Buchan (seven points), Jazlyn Grimes (three points), Tyasha Teachey (three points) and Madelyn Coates (two points) also scratched in the scoring column.

Princeton (4-5) converted 18 field goals and shot an efficient 11 of 13 at the free throw line. Spring Creek hit 11 field goals.