Submitted
Suwannee Democrat
Live Oak —
The Suwannee High School varsity Bulldogs competed in the Hitchcock’s Challenge Christmas Tournament on Dec. 26-29 and came home with two wins and two losses to bring their season record to 9-4 overall.
In the first round the ‘Dogs faced the undefeated Hawthorne Hornets (11-0). A season-high 20 turnovers and missed free throws (4/14) contributed to the demise of Suwannee, as they were defeated by a score of 54-55 and knocked out of the single-elimination winner’s bracket. Senior guard Jimmie Taylor III clenched another double-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and one steal. Sophomore center Kevarrius Hayes brought home his first career triple-double with 18 points, 17 rebounds and 10 blocks.
Three days later the Hornets were handed their first loss of the season to tournament winner East Ridge (Clermont) in the championship game.
The ‘Dogs faced Osceola (Seminole) on Dec. 27 and won by a score of 68-64. Taylor led scoring with 30 points and added 12 rebounds and six assists; Hayes netted 15 and rebounded 28 with three blocks; freshman forward Aaron McAllister added seven points, seven rebounds and one steal and senior guard Raymond Gardner added seven points and two rebounds.
In the third game Suwannee defeated Newberry 61-51, with Taylor, Hayes and McAllister leading scoring and rebounding in a similar performance of 30, 12 and six points respectively.
Suwannee fell to Williston on the final day of the tournament by a score of 64-54. A combination of turnovers forced by man defense, missed free throws (14/24) and subpar rebounding (15 fewer than the Dogs’ average per game) were too much to overcome. Scoring was again by Taylor with 29.
The team now faces the Madison Cowboys in what will prove to be a contentious rematch this Saturday, Jan. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in Madison.
To follow the team schedule and statistics, please go to Maxpreps.com.
Tournament Statistics (Pts-Rbs-Ast-Stl)
Jimmie Taylor III (112-33-16-3)
Kevarrius Hayes (51-81-4-5) 20BL
Aaron McAllister (21-17-2-3) 1BL
Raymond Gardner (18-6-0-3) 1BL
Denzel Washington (12-8-8-4)
Frank Smith (12-14-2-2)
Deangelo Ross (9-6-1-2)
Randy Waddy (0-3-1-1)
