Shemar Johnson downplayed his emotions Tuesday night.
Playing in front of a packed New Hope High School student section for the final time, Johnson jammed home two monster dunks for old times sake.
The highlights for he and the other seniors playing their final home game were plentiful in the first half of New Hope’s 88-59 victory against Canton in the opening round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A State tournament.
New Hope (21-8) will play at 7 p.m. Saturday at Center Hill (18-12) in the second round. The Trojans need one more win to advance to the quarterfinal round in Jackson. Canton, which snapped a 24-game losing streak last week in the Class 5A, Region 3 tournament third-place game, finished 2-25.
“There wasn’t a lot of emotion out there tonight,” Johnson said. “We will save the emotions for later. We had a lot of good times out here, though, and I will always remember playing games here in front of a large crowd. We feel blessed to get the win.”
New Hope built a 45-14 halftime lead. Coach Drew McBrayer pulled the starting five for good after a 9-2 run to start the second half.
“The game plan was not to underestimate,” New Hope senior Demyis Mayberry said. “We knew the other team had really been struggling. We came out strong and fast and the game was over very early. We know what we have to do from here on out. We have to have that killer-type mentality.”
New Hope finished second in the Class 5A, Region 2 tournament Saturday, losing a heart-breaker to Oxford in overtime. After defeating Saltillo by a point in its region tournament opener, New Hope rallied from a 16-point deficit to force the extra period against Oxford.
“I thought that may have been this season’s turning point,” McBrayer said. “The players realized if you take away the first quarter we are able to beat one of the premier teams in the state. I thought the kids really drew off that experience and it made us a better basketball team. You know the margin for error is gone now because one loss ends the season. You can’t have that bad quarter or that bad stretch. Our focus was really good tonight, and the game got out of hand early.”
Senior Jaylon Bardley feels his team is capable of putting together a run. McBrayer told the Trojans they were “20 percent of the way” there since five wins are needed to win a state championship.
“Going into every game, our goal is to play hard and to leave it all out on the floor,” Bardley said. “We feel like if we play good defense then we can beat anybody we play. We are going to lay it all on the line and whatever happens, happens. We played good until the end (against Oxford), we just didn’t get the break we needed. We know what we are capable of, so we just have to keep working hard.”
New Hope defeated Center Hill 70-69 in overtime in November in Tupelo.
“They didn’t have their point guard in that game,so we will see a different team,” McBrayer said. “However, it’s good to face a team you beat because that gives the kids confidence. It will be difficult on the road, but you know it’s a team you can match up with and a team you can compete with.”
Bardley said the Trojans will attack each remaining matchup with confidence.
“We will be ready for Center Hill,” Bardley said. “We know we will face great teams the rest of the way. We beat some great teams during the regular season. It’s bittersweet not playing anymore at home. It felt great to get this win, though. We really went out with a bang.”
Johnson had a team-high 15 points, Mayberry had 13, and Darius Williams added 10.
“Each game will be a battle from here on out,” Mayberry said. “We just have to pass the ball and make sure everybody is scoring. Even though we have had some ups and downs, we really like our chances. We have to worry about our game and not worry about the opponent. We have to do the things that make us a good team. If we can do that, we can keep advancing.”
New Hope players gathered with family members and friends on the court after the game. With school already dismissed for weather today, the spirits were jovial. McBrayer reminded players to text him about future practice plans.
Johnson stood close to the rim that absorbed his last high school dunk at home.
“I hate that it was my last home game,” Johnson said. “I am gong to miss the people coming out to watch us. We always knew everybody would be here and the students would be rocking. We tried to give them a show. I think we did a pretty good job of that this year.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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