Dominating performance: Collinsville boys smother Jefferson Christian, clinch third straight regional berth
by Shannon Fagan
Feb 16, 2013 | 2144 views | 0 0 comments | 7 7 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Collinsville senior guard David Hernandez connects on a 3-pointer against Jefferson Christian on Friday.
view slideshow (2 images)
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville senior guard Deshawn Moore had a bittersweet feeling Friday night.

He knew a sub-regional win over Jefferson Christian would send the second-ranked Panthers to the Northeast Regionals for the third straight season. He also knew it would be the last time he would take the basketball court at home with his Panther teammates.

Moore and the rest of the Panthers made sure they gave the home crowd a performance they won't soon forget.

Behind a smothering defensive effort, Collinsville cruised to an 89-33 victory.

"Our mentality is to play defense and finish. That's been our key this whole year," said Moore, who finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds. "It's not just one person. It's all of us working together. It's a team effort."

The win propels the Panthers back to Jacksonville State University's Pete Mathews Coliseum, where they'll take on sixth-ranked Ragland (24-6) on Monday at 4:30 p.m. Ragland defeated Valley Head 75-57 in other sub-regional action on Friday.

The Purple Devils defeated Collinsville in the regional semifinals last year, 64-44.

"This is probably the strongest regional since I've been back at Collinsville," Collinsville coach Jon Tidmore said. "The competition is going to be stiff. Every game is going to be tough.

"You've got to hope being down there for the third year in a row, and being a senior-dominated team, that we'll make good decisions and maybe not be affected by the environment. This is what everybody works for. I think that will help our guys prepare to play their best."

Playing their best was something the Panthers did on Friday. They jumped out to a 22-10 lead at the end of the first quarter and held a 49-16 advantage at halftime. Collinsville's lead swelled to 67-29 at the end of the third quarter.

Eleven of the Panthers' 14 roster players scored at least a bucket. Senior forward Davey Posey posted 18 points and four rebounds. Senior guard David Hernandez connected on three treys and finished with 11 points.

Brady Osborn had 10 points. Daniel Bradford and Tanner Nelson both contributed eight points.

Tidmore praised his seniors for their efforts, not only on Friday, but for their careers.

"Those seniors have been playing here for a long time," Tidmore said. "I coached them in the seventh grade, and they just continue to get better every time they play. They're just so much fun to watch."

Correy Jefferson led the Eagles with eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Jalen Pullom had seven points and David Hart finished with six points.
Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
Dominating performance: Collinsville boys smother Jefferson Christian, clinch third straight regional berth
by Shannon Fagan
Feb 16, 2013 | 2144 views | 0 0 comments | 7 7 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Collinsville senior guard David Hernandez connects on a 3-pointer against Jefferson Christian on Friday.
view slideshow (2 images)
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville senior guard Deshawn Moore had a bittersweet feeling Friday night.

He knew a sub-regional win over Jefferson Christian would send the second-ranked Panthers to the Northeast Regionals for the third straight season. He also knew it would be the last time he would take the basketball court at home with his Panther teammates.

Moore and the rest of the Panthers made sure they gave the home crowd a performance they won't soon forget.

Behind a smothering defensive effort, Collinsville cruised to an 89-33 victory.

"Our mentality is to play defense and finish. That's been our key this whole year," said Moore, who finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds. "It's not just one person. It's all of us working together. It's a team effort."

The win propels the Panthers back to Jacksonville State University's Pete Mathews Coliseum, where they'll take on sixth-ranked Ragland (24-6) on Monday at 4:30 p.m. Ragland defeated Valley Head 75-57 in other sub-regional action on Friday.

The Purple Devils defeated Collinsville in the regional semifinals last year, 64-44.

"This is probably the strongest regional since I've been back at Collinsville," Collinsville coach Jon Tidmore said. "The competition is going to be stiff. Every game is going to be tough.

"You've got to hope being down there for the third year in a row, and being a senior-dominated team, that we'll make good decisions and maybe not be affected by the environment. This is what everybody works for. I think that will help our guys prepare to play their best."

Playing their best was something the Panthers did on Friday. They jumped out to a 22-10 lead at the end of the first quarter and held a 49-16 advantage at halftime. Collinsville's lead swelled to 67-29 at the end of the third quarter.

Eleven of the Panthers' 14 roster players scored at least a bucket. Senior forward Davey Posey posted 18 points and four rebounds. Senior guard David Hernandez connected on three treys and finished with 11 points.

Brady Osborn had 10 points. Daniel Bradford and Tanner Nelson both contributed eight points.

Tidmore praised his seniors for their efforts, not only on Friday, but for their careers.

"Those seniors have been playing here for a long time," Tidmore said. "I coached them in the seventh grade, and they just continue to get better every time they play. They're just so much fun to watch."

Correy Jefferson led the Eagles with eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Jalen Pullom had seven points and David Hart finished with six points.
Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet