RIDGELAND — It’s along ways until February, but this definitely was a playoff-type game.
In a game where points were at a premium, Raymond was able to get past Starkville 42-38 in a battle of heavyweight title contenders in Class 6A and Class 4A at the 12th annual Mississippi Hoops Challenge Thanksgiving Showcase at St. Andrew’s on Saturday night.
“In a game like that it’s a type of game that definitely prepares you for February and March,” Raymond coach Tony Tadlock said. “Starkville is one of the premier programs in the state, and tonight every possession counted and each bucket meant something, so it was huge for us to come out and get a win against a team like Starkville.”
The Rangers jumped out to a 10-3 lead to begin the game, but the Yellow Jackets got back to back buckets to cut the lead down to 10-8 at the end of the first quarter.
To begin the second quarter, Starkville got back-to-back buckets from Makhi Myles and Connor Rogers to take a slim 12-10 lead, but Raymond went on a 10-2 run to take a 20-14 lead and eventually held onto a 23-19 lead at halftime.
The third quarter saw only 11 combined points scored with the Rangers holding onto a 28-25 lead.
Rogers scored six straight points for the Yellow Jackets to give Starkville a 31-28 lead with 6:37 left in the fourth quarter.
The Rangers got a layup from Larry Lee, and Keymarius Lewis hit four consecutive free throws to give the Raymond a 34-32 lead.
After Rogers hit another layup to tie the game at 34, Raymond went on a quick 5-0 run to take a 39-34 lead.
Gekylnn Mosley hit one of two free throws with 4.3 seconds to give the Rangers the 42-38 lead and seal the game.
Lewis had a game-high 19 points to lead Raymond (6-3) and was named the game’s most valuable player.
“The name of the game is get the ball in your best players hands and we were able to do that. He made his free throws down the stretch, and that’s what won us the game,” Tadlock said. “We knew we had our hands full, so these are the battles that help measure yourself to not only can we play with top teams in the state, but we can beat them too.”
Rogers had 16 points to lead Starkville, while Myles added eight points for the Yellow Jackets (6-2).
“Seems to be the trend for us lately is not being able to make shots. We’re playing well defensively and getting the open shots, but not making them,” Starkville coach Qu’Varius Howard said. “At times we got out worked in all phases of the game tonight. Raymond is a tough team, and these are the types of games you want early in the year, so come playoff time you’re used to it.”
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