MARION – Trevail Lee scored 26 points, and Berkeley Boston made two momentum-changing blocks to lead Mid-South Community College to an 86-81 win over Central Baptist College’s junior varsity team on Saturday.
The victory is the Greyhounds’ first of the season after opening with four losses, and head Coach Chris Parker said it is nice to get the first one out of the way and be in the win column.
“It is always good to get that monkey off of your back,” Parker said. “Hopefully, our guys will settle down now that they have kind of got a taste of (winning).”
It was a back and forth game on Saturday. Every time the Greyhounds built a lead, the Mustangs managed to get right back in it with the three-point shot. Parker said he was simply happy his team prevailed against the sharp-shooting visitors from Conway.
“I don’t know if they always shoot the ball that way, but I haven’t seen very many teams shoot it like that,” Parker said. “So, we feel very fortunate to get a win against a team that seemed to be having a career night shooting.”
MSCC took a 43-42 lead going into halftime on a pick and roll, buzzer-beater three by Tyrone Willis. Willis knocked down several key threes in the game and finished with 11 points.
The big momentum shift for the Greyhounds came late in the second half, though.
With about three minutes to go and MSCC leading by only four points, the Greyhounds were stripped of the ball. The Mustangs headed the other way for what appeared to be an easy fast break opportunity. However, Boston, a 5’9’’ guard, stormed down the court and went up high for a hard block to keep the Mustangs from scoring an easy bucket.
On the very next possession, the Mustangs worked the ball into the paint, and Boston went up high again for another hard-swatted block. Coach Parker said the former Marion Patriot shined late in the game in his old arena.
“(Those blocks) were a momentum shifter,” Parker said. “Blocks, dunks and charges are three things that we really try to focus on. To see a 5’9’’ guy come in and play with that kind of energy and get the rest of the team going with a couple of key blocks was pretty good. He did a great job playing in a building that he is very familiar with.”
Four Greyhounds finished in double-digit figures Saturday afternoon. Lee led the way with 26, and Shaquille Culbreath followed with 15. Rodney Ollison pitched in 12 points, and Willis’ 11 rounded out MSCC’s top offensive performers in the victory.
Saturday’s game was the Greyhounds’ fifth contest in eight days, and Parker said that may have taken a toll on MSCC defensively against the Mustangs. The Greyhounds’ next game will not be until Nov. 17 – a break that Coach Parker said is welcomed.
“We are just really tired and need a break…it showed defensively,” Parker said. “We have a week off, and that is really what we are looking forward to more than anything (as well as) our next game being at home. Hopefully, you will see a little more energetic team here in a week.”
The Greyhounds will have this week to practice and rest their legs some, according to Parker. MSCC will prepare to take on Middle Georgia Tech on Nov. 17.
The game will be played in Lehr Arena in West Memphis with the Lady Greyhounds set to tip off at 2 p.m. and the men’s team to follow at 4.
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