Published: January 07, 2006 03:42 pm            

Indians suffer loss to Pirates

The Jacksonville Indians went toe-to-toe with the Pine Tree Pirates, but the in the end, turnovers and missed shots allowed the Pirates to leave with a 42-36 win over the Indians at Jacksonville Gymnasium Friday night.

Jacksonville was able to tie the game 29-29 with 7:17 to play in the fourth quarter, but the Indians only managed seven points after for the rest of the game, while Pine Tree was able to score 13 points en route to the win.

The Pirates were led in the quarter by Dominick Walker, who came off the bench to score seven points in the final period.

“I was proud of our kids’ effort and for the most part, the execution,” said Jacksonville head coach David Hanna. “That was a seasoned playoff team from a year ago and we had a chance to win.

“In the end, they made the plays and we didn’t. Overall, I think this game is something we can learn from, build from, stay positive about, keep working and get back in this race.”

The Indians jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, but the play of the Pirates Ryan Bennett allowed Pine Tree to recover from the deficit and take the lead.

Bennett was able to score the Pirates’ first nine points, and led them to a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Bennett’s success was short lived as the Indians held him to just two points throughout the remainder of the contest, but his spark in the first quarter was all Pine Tree needed.

“(Bennett) is really what makes them go,” Hanna said. “We knew we had to do something to get him out of his rhythm, and I think we were able to do that.”

Joseph Whitaker led the Indians with nine points, Kiara Cook added six, and Jeremy Cumbie and LaDelian Johnson each chipped in with five points in the loss.

Hanna said he hopes his team will remain positive about the loss, knowing they played with and had a chance to beat a playoff team.

“That is the point we tried to make after the game,” Hanna said. “We want them to know that we’re close, we’re close.

“The keys to us are staying together, staying positive and to keep working and not get our heads down.”

The Indians travel to Hallsville Tuesday for their game against the Bobcats at 8 p.m.

The Jacksonville Indians junior varsity team fell to Pine Tree 42-41 in overtime.

The Jacksonville Indians freshmen team was able to beat Pine Tree 55-44 thanks to a 16-point performance from Xavier Jones.

Pine Tree 37,

Jacksonville 24 (girls)

The Jacksonville Maidens suffered their firt district loss Friday at Pine Tree.

Lakesia Johnson led the Maidens with eight points and Mekyla Tilley added six.

Jacksonville hosts Hallsville at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Pine Tree 42, Jacksonville 36

Pine Tree 13 8 8 13 — 42

Jacksonville 7 11 9 7 — 36



PINE TREE — Ryan Bennett 11, John Allen 10, Dominick Walker 9, Landon Kids 4, Todd Stronger 4, Austin Howe 2, Bryan Bitting 2. Three-point goals: (Bennett). Free-throws: 5-10.

JACKSONVILLE — Joseph Whitaker 9, Kiara Cook 6, Jeremy Cumbie 5, LaDelian Johnson 5, Andrew White 3, Addison Mosely 2, Kendara Hall 2, Paul Wardlaw 2, Cory Oliver 2. Three-point goals: (Whitaker 2, Johnson). Free-throws: 5-10

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.