March
Issue:
In
a short three years, Coach Jermaine Johnson has Melrose
in the record books with a astounding victory over the
defending state champions White Station Spartans.
Melrose deeply talented team was too much for the
Spartans who missed two of their top scorers from
scoring in double digits and much needed if any chance
of winning. Tournament MVP
Chris Jones
(35 points and 5 steals) proved why he is a Tennessee
commitment with his savvy ball handling, outside
shooting when needed, and strong drives to the goal when
called upon.
Jones
shot 95% from the free throw line on 18-19 shooting and
57% from the field in another stellar performance. The
game was a back and forth contest the entire game with
10 lead changes and 9 ties that started with the score
being tied 16 all at the end of the first quarter.
White
Station led majority of the first half after Melrose
being patient on offense scored first but the Spartans
started the game with a 8-0 run after Melrose scored.
Adonis Thomas
shot extremely well 47% from the field and snatched a
game high 13 rebounds to go along with 19 points in a
double double performance. Melrose finally
took the lead in the second quarter with a 1 minute left
using full court pressure that rattled the Spartans a
little. Melrose went into the break up 35-33. White
Station was killing Melrose on the boards (19-10 first
half advantage) due to Melrose big man and Northern
Illinois signee
Nate Rucker
breaking his ankle in the previous quarterfinal game
against Bearden. Melrose caused 11 first half turnovers
but controlled the ball to only commit 3 turnovers to
nullify the rebounding disadvantage. Melrose had a 5-2
ratio on steals at the break also.
White Station usually brings a nice crowd with them
every year but Melrose's Orange Mound was definitely in
the house as the Golden Wildcats were in force new and
old. The Wildcats extended their lead as high as 8
points in the third quarter at the 2:01 mark of the
third with Coach Jesus Patino of White Station trying to
find a solution to his team poor offense with multiple
substituting to gain momentum to no avail. Melrose
closed the third quarter up 55-50 and in solid control
for the time being.
You know having Mr. Basketball, McDonald's All American and Memphis signee
Joe
Jackson
(22 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) was not
going to let that happen just laying there. He is a
warrior and showed why he received all the postseason
accolades, Jackson sat out only 6 seconds of the entire
game in the fourth quarter at the 5:00 minute mark after
picking up his 4th foul.
Another senior who has been their since the first day
with Jackson is Missouri State football signee
Julian Burton
(12 points on 50% shooting and 3-3 from long range).
White Station William
Woodfork and
Rodriguez Tucker
notched important minutes and played strong coming off
the bench in supporting roles. White Station tried to
rally by getting the score down to 3 points (63-60) and
the closest they would ever get with each time Jones
snubbing out the effort and with
Thomas
in the wing.
Key Points of The Game:
White
Station
Andre
Hollins
and
Nino
Johnson
scoring only 4 points each. At least Johnson grabbed 10
rebounds in the cause respectively.
Chris Jones awesome free throw shooting down
the stretch and the entire game.
By Staff Writer Harold Rivera