If North Pike boys basketball coach Keith Russ had his way, Tuesday afternoon’s game in the South Pike Thanksgiving Tournament against Wilkinson County would be a blueprint for the rest of the season.
The Jaguars shot 69 percent for the game enroute to a convincing 73-52 victory. Defensively, North Pike recorded 15 steals, many of which were turned into layups at the other end.
With the victory, North Pike improved to 5-0 on the season.
Wilkinson County — playing without most of its starters who are still playing football — dropped to 0-6.
Jalen Jackson came off the bench and scored a game-high 24 points for the Jaguars. The 6-foot-2 senior was 11 of 21 shooting from the field and 2 of 5 from the free throw line.
“I’m just doing what coach Russ asks me to do,” Jackson said. “I’m confident in my shooting.”
As a team, North Pike was 37 of 54 shooting from the field. The disciplined Jags attempted only one 3-pointer in the game, but misfired on that attempt.
LaDarius Dunn added 13 points for North Pike. He was 4 for 4 from the floor and made 4 of 5 from the charity stripe. North Pike was 19 of 33 overall from the free throw line.
North Pike led 19-16 after the first quarter and then picked up the defensive pressure. North Pike held Wilkinson County scoreless in the second quarter and led 43-16 at halftime. The Wildcats were 0-for-8 from the field during the second quarter.
“We did a good job the first half making shots around the basket and we got a lot of layups.” Russ said. “Jalen did a great job for us. He gave us a spurt. Hopefully, he can continue to do that for the rest of the season giving us points in the paint.”
North Pike was 10 of 27 shooting in the second half. Russ did say he liked how the Jaguars played defense.
“We had those 15 steals and I’d say at least 12 came in the first half,” Russ said. “Our defense did a great job. The bench came on in the second half and continued that pressure defense.”
North Pike’s Javion Jackson contributed 9 points, while Devin Abram added 8 points and dished out 10 assists. DeHendrick Wells also had 8 points. Jalen Jackson led the Jaguars with 8 rebounds.
Wilkinson County shot 23 percent (22 of 50) from the floor on the afternoon. The Wildcats were 5 of 18 from beyond the arc.
Lehendrick Bruster’s 15 points paced the Wildcats, while Jamayer Cotton and JaQuarious Stewart scored 14 and 12 points, respectively. Thomas Seaberry added 9 points.
North Pike visits Hazlehurst on Tuesday following the Thanksgiving break.
Lady Jaguars win convincingly
North Pike’s girls basketball team had five players score in double figures in a 75-40 victory Tuesday afternoon over Wilkinson County.
With the victory, North Pike moved to 3-2 overall on the season.
North Pike led 26-5 after the first quarter and 45-20 at halftime. The Jaguars led 63-32 after three quarters.
Like their male counterparts, the Lady Jaguars scored a number of uncontested layups off of steals.
Senior guard Tatyana Turner led the Lady Jags with 25 points, including three treys. Sophomore forwards Rebecca Bridges and Rachel Thompson each added 14 points, while junior guard Rickera Martin and sophomore forward Latorya Humphries each added 13 points.
GraDrieka Cotton had 14 points for Wilkinson County, which fell to 1-5 this season.
North Pike visits Hazlehurst on Tuesday.
