Basketball: ‘Dogs end winning streak

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January 23, 2012

Anonymous Suwannee Democrat The Suwannee Democrat Mon Jan 23, 2012, 12:07 PM EST

Live Oak — The Suwannee High School varsity boys basketball team fell to Jacksonville Sandalwood at the Andrew Jackson Shootout Saturday, Jan. 21 by a score of 52-44. The Saints, currently ranked first in class 8A District 1, brought an end to the seven-game winning streak for Suwannee.

The ‘Dogs struggled from the outset of the game, with a slowly reactive defense and a poorly executed offense. Kevarrius Hayes was out early in the first with foul trouble, Bulldog team rebounds were minimal and Sandalwood pulled ahead early by working the paint and getting offensive put-backs. The Saints utilized a man defense that shook up the flow of the Bulldog offense and forced the ‘Dogs to shoot hurried, inaccurate shots from the perimeter. At the end of the first quarter, the ‘Dogs were down 4-16 and had a total of four team rebounds, all defensive.

Suwannee’s slump continued in the second and Sandalwood added perimeter threes to their offensive attack. Suwannee’s offense stayed flat, with brief sparks coming from three-point shots by Marcus Lane and Deangelo Ross. The ‘Dogs failed to follow shots or box out, missed five open layups, and rebounded poorly as they finished the first half with only seven total rebounds and trailed the Saints 11-26.

After halftime, Suwannee temporarily shifted to man defense, but the Saints still capitalized with layups and open shots. Suwannee trailed by 18 points (13-31) at the five minute mark. But then, the ‘Dogs began to wake up late in the third quarter. The offense started to show signs of life, including inside shots from Tony Frierson and Hayes, and two three-point goals from Lane and Jimmie Taylor III.

The ‘Dogs still trailed by 16 going into the fourth (23-39), but they continued to rally. Their defense strengthened, and they pushed the ball upcourt more aggressively following more defensive rebounds. Taylor began to drive inside, shot 5/5 from the free throw line, and scored ten. Threes by Lane, Ross, and Frierson added 12 and Hayes scored an inside basket. Suwannee’s fourth-quarter offensive run totaled 21 points, nearly half the team’s ending total. However, the run would prove too late as the defense still could hold the Saints and Suwannee was handed the eight-point defeat.

Suwannee plays two road games. One against Jacksonville Oakleaf today, Jan. 25 and an exciting rematch against Madison County in Madison on Jan. 27.