By Don Wallace
sports@jacksonvilleprogress.com
KILGORE — Four Indians scored in double figures as Jacksonville ripped Kilgore, 75-55 in District 12-4A action Friday night.
The Indians had the Bulldogs on the ropes early with scoring from the inside and the outside.
Kilgore had won just four games heading into the contest and the Indians showed no mercy on the struggling squad.
“It was a game we were supposed to win and we did win. We have to beat teams like Kilgore to stay where we need to be in the standings,” said Jacksonville head boys basketball coach Roynal Bridgeforth.
Teams in the league anticipate a logjam for second and third places behind Whitehouse in the district.
In the game against Kilgore, Jacksonville did what they had to do to secure the victory.
“Kilgore played a 2-3 zone on us. We came out slow, we were adjusting to that. Trying to find the holes in the zone and be patient. Then we started hitting some 3-pointers and that loosened their defense up,” Bridgeforth said.
Jay Jimenez had 18 points from six 3-pointers in the game. All of the scoring from Jimenez came in the second half.
Jacksonville freshman point guard Donovan Bridgeforth tossed in 15 points, canning three shots from long distance. Bridgeforth had a rare four-point play in the first half as he made a 3-pointer while getting fouled and sank the following free throw.
Jacksonville went up 32-23 at the half and kept the ‘Dogs at bay with powerful play in the lane as Kelvin Hall and Chris Williams each scored in double figures.
Twice Kilgore rallied to cut the lead to just nine points. But Jacksonville always had an answer to the spurt, usually in the form of points.
The Indians ran away in the final period, scoring from all over the court. The 29-point outburst secured the win for Jacksonville.
Jimenez caught fire in the final period, hitting four of his six triples late in the game.
“We really rebounded well. We did some good things in this game against Kilgore. We still have a long way to go. Kilgore is not that bad of a team, they have talent. I think they will beat some teams in district,” Bridgeforth said.
Score by quarters
Jacksonville - 13-19-14-29-75
Kilgore - 8-15-18-14-55
Jacksonville- Kelvin Hall, 12; Jeremy Chappelle, 2; Donovan Bridgeforth, 15; Dowindle Hamilton, 8; Chris Williams, 10; Antwan Johnson, 2; Demarcus Session, 8; Jay Jimenez, 18.
Kilgore - Corwin Rowell, 13; Drake Bickham, 14; J.J. Adams, 4; Cody Murphy, 12, Deavaron Harvey, 2; Xavian Sanders, 7; Victor Raven, 3.
Session and Hamilton had four rebounds each to lead the team.
Kilgore’s top rebounder was Bickham with seven.
Jacksonville is 14-5 overall, 2-1 in district play.
Kilgore falls to 4-12, 0-3 in district.
Kilgore down the Jacksonville JV, 54-52.
Jacksonville will host Nacogdoches Tuesday with the freshman game beginning at 5 p.m. followed by the junior varsity at 6 p.m. and varsity game at approximately 7:30 p.m.
“We have to defend our home court,” Bridgeforth said. “We need another win in district to stay up with everyone. Nacogdoches had about the same record as we did so we can’t afford to fall behind. Especially when we are at home.”
The Indians are expecting a big home crowd Tuesday at the game.
The contest will be the first of 2008 since classes have resumed at Jacksonville High School.
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Indians roll over Kilgore, 75-55
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