Junction City knocks off Dermott 73-63

JUNCTION CITY – In every game the Junction City Dragons play, a lot is expected from Tyrus Grayson.

Friday against the Dermott Rams, the 6-5 senior fulfilled the expectations.

Junction City claimed a 73-63 home triumph in a 7-2A East contest thanks primarily to Grayson amassing 28 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.

“Tyrus played the way I expect him to play,” said Dragon coach Kendall Hutcheson. “When Dermott went to a Boxand-1 on him, he was moving around well without the ball. He was going to the rim for rebounds. Tyrus was playing the way he’s capable of playing.”

At the half, the Dragons led 42-32.

Once the third quarter began, Junction City continued to surge.

And it eventually stretched the lead to 48-34 when Keelan Ford tossed a nice assist to Hishmma Taylor who easily laid the ball into the bucket. But Dermott refused to wilt.

The Rams remained aggressive and eventually, with just over two minutes left in the third, Darrell Glenn made a 3-pointer to reduce the Junction City lead to 50-46.

When the third was complete, the Rams were down 54-48.

Hutcheson was not surprised that Dermott made a run.

“Our defense wasn’t good. We were always a step late against Dermott,” the coach said. “Also, Dermott is a good team. They’ve been in this situation before and have played (over 20) games. So they’re going to play hard. But our defense also has to get better.”

In the fourth, the Dragons put this game away by doing two things: reclaiming the role of aggressor, and getting the ball to Grayson. During the final quarter, Grayson had six points and two rebounds to help his team quell Dermott’s momentum.

After the athletic forward scored on an nice drive to the bucket, Junction City (5-1, 2-0) led 67-52 with two minutes remaining in the game.

When time expired, the Dragons had staved off Dermott for a 10-point win.

In regard to his team regaining control in the fourth, Hutcheson referenced the importance of competing with tenacity.

“We attacked the basket again and started getting to the boards. After the third quarter, we discussed how we have to be more aggressive, go to the hole, and stop standing around and watching,” he stated.

“When we got back after it on the boards, we got easy points and easy putbacks. I thought that was the difference.”

For the Dragons – who led 16-13 at the conclusion of the first period – Taylor scored 13 while Jalen Davis finished with 12.

Glenn led Dermott (11-13, 3-1) with 21 while T.J. Danzy scored 15.

Parkers Chapel 46,

Rison 32

PARKERS CHAPEL – The Trojans claimed an important home win over Rison (0-2) Friday.

PC led this 7-2A East contest 22-13 at the intermission.

After three quarters of play were complete, the Trojans led 40-22.

Parkers Chapel (7-10, 2-2) received a solid outing from Braxton Kinley and Nate Garrett-Evans who both scored 12 points apiece.

In the junior high game, Rison topped Parkers Chapel 51-21. The Trojans are now 6-5 overall.

Smackover 56,

Hampton 28

HAMPTON - Hogan Barker was one of three players in double figures with 14 points for the Bucks, who open league play at Drew Central on Tuesday. Khalil Lowery had 13 points and Keiandre Purifoy finished with 10 points for Smackover (8-4). After leading 25-15 at intermission, the Bucks pushed their lead to 35-23 after three periods before outscoring the Bulldogs 21-5 in the final period. Nathaniel Traylor had 11 points for Hampton.