Jones and Richey go head-to-head in an impressive showdown

Alexander H.S. Gymnasium – Douglasville, GA

Richey was deadly from any and every spot on the floor.

It was a cold night in Douglasville but Alexander High School was blazing. The Douglas County Tigers went head-to-head and shot-for-shot against the Centennial Knights in a high scoring affair that saw triple digits. The winner would need it as both teams went back and forth in an uptempo game that surely did not disappoint.

The pace in this one would be set early.  A quick score by Centennial’s Alex Richey, who was just getting started, and an answer from deep by the Tigers’ Ricky Dobbs, gave you an early indication of how things would go. 

First period action continued with each team going on little spurts and the opposition answering.  Both teams found their grooves early and stuck with it.  Douglas County opened the game with a full court press that seemed to frazzle the Knights, but after a quick timeout to rectify the situation, Centennial was able to recover. 

Michael Moynihan came up big in the Knight backcourt, breaking the press and setting the table for easy shots for his fellow Knights.  But Richey and Mark Harp of Douglas County proved to be the go to guys early.  Harp finished the first period with 10 points and two rebounds but took an early seat as the Knights began to run the floor.  The Tigers were able to hold on to a four-point advantage to end the first period, 29-25.

In stepped JuJuan Jones.  Jones, the #4 ranked player in the 4SHOT Hoops Burning 50, was quiet in the first period but sensed it was time to open things up.  With deceivingly quick hands, Jones came up with a steal that led to an easy lay-up.  Centennial had a spark of their own in the likes of center Greg Roberts and guard Arthur Hamilton. 

Despite foul trouble, Jones was the man for the Tigers.

With Harp on the bench, Roberts had his way hitting the boards and getting easy put backs.  Hamilton came off the bench to give the Knights some more energy on both ends of the floor.  But Richey continued to be the focal point from inside and out.  The junior marksman finished the half with 20 points and five rebounds.  But the Tigers held on to a slim lead at the half, 48-47, on the back of Jones’ 12 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Jones came out after in the second half and did not fall off track, keeping the Tigers on top by showing off his long-range and mid-range jumpers.  Jones also had an impact on the defensive end coming up with two blocks in the third that helped keep the Knights at bay.  Jones got a little help from the sharpshooter, Dobbs, who hit for three triples in the period helping the Tigers extend the lead to double digits for the third time in the game.

But yet again, Centennial found an answer.  With more consistent play from Richey and Moynihan, the Knights fought back.  Sophomore Joseph Lister proved to be big on the boards while Roberts and Harp were not patrolling the lane.  The Knights were able to cut into an eleven-point deficit to end the third period down by eight, 79-71.

Usual Suspect?

With Jones on the bench due to foul trouble, the Knights found an opening and Moynihan took over.  The senior pressured the ball, forced turnovers, led breaks, fed teammates and forced Douglas County into a timeout after slashing into a double-digit lead to bring the Knights within four, 83-79.  

With no other alternative, Jones checked in with 5:37 left in the game.  The Tigers would regroup and seemed rejuvenated by his return.  The Knights would not go away.  Lister stayed active on the boards pulling down rebounds and initiating fast breaks.  But Harp was stronger, denying any Knight attempt at a comeback with consecutive blocks on penetrating drives by the Knight backcourt.

Centennial’s downfall would come with eight points and two rebounds by Jones before he fouled out with 1:24 left in the game.  And with Moynihan shaken up on the bench and Richey basically disappearing in the fourth period, the Knights were unable to keep up.  The Tigers went out with a bang off an alley-oop from Dobbs to Harp at the buzzer to give the Douglas County a tough win. 

Final Score:  Douglas County 106 – Centennial 95

Scoring Recap

Douglas County:

JuJuan Jones hit the Knights up for 30 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.  Mark Harp and Ricky Dobbs finished with 19 ponts.

Centennial:

Alex Richey led the way with 30 points and 7 rebounds.  Michael Moynihan had 12 points to go along with 11 assists.  Joseph Lister finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.