Olive Branch edges out Bartlett, 61-60, in last game of the Memphis Hoopfest
It can be said that Olive Branch has one of the toughest schedules in the state of Mississippi and possibly in the nation. But, the ‘Quistors aren’t scared. After Olive Branch (13-5) grinded out a win over Chicago Simeon Friday…
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Continue ReadingIt can be said that Olive Branch has one of the toughest schedules in the state of Mississippi and possibly in the nation.
But, the ‘Quistors aren’t scared.
After Olive Branch (13-5) grinded out a win over Chicago Simeon Friday night, the ‘Quistors were battled tested again, this time against Bartlett (16-2), which took Olive Branch to the final buzzer, but senior forward D.J. Jeffries’ two made free throws in the final seconds lifted the ‘Quistors to the 61-60 victory in the final game of this year’s ARS Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest.
Jeffries was awarded his second MVP award in two nights after finishing with 27 points and eight rebounds.
Olive Branch had to finish the game without junior point guard Wes Taylor and junior forward Cameron Matthews after both fouled out in the final minute of the game. The ‘Quistors picked up some fouls after both Matthews and Taylor went to the bench, allowing the Panthers to get opportunities from the free throw line.
But, Bartlett didn’t capitalize on its opportunity.
Wynne Brown Jr., Antavion Collum, and Shemar Johnson each went 1 for 2 from the foul line. Brown Jr. knocked down a 3 over Kyron Pleas as the buzzer sounded and felt like he got fouled on the shot. Brown Jr. pleaded with the baseline referee that he was fouled, but no call was made, and the game was final.
The Panthers had opportunities to go ahead before the final buzzer, but had costly turnovers in the process. When Bartlett trailed 55-54 early in the fourth quarter, point guard Jefferson Walker drove the baseline and tried to get it to Collum, but the pass was far out of reach.
As for Olive Branch, it missed layups and had 15 turnovers, but the ‘Quistors stuck together, grinding out a good win over a quality opponent.
“I’m very proud of them,” Olive Branch head coach Eric Rambough said. “I’m most proud of us learning how to play through adversity, fouls, not shooting well, and missing free throws. All of the things that can go wrong in a game, we’re trying not to do those.
“I would rather play a game like this with a chance to lose than to beat a team by 40, because when you beat a team by 40, you don’t learn anything about your team. I will take this game over a blowout any night.”
Brown Jr. led the Panthers with 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting. Collum added 13 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
Bartlett was down 12 at one point in the first half, but rallied back to cut get its deficit to 37-30 at halftime. Brown Jr. and Collum combined to score 13 points in the third quarter, helping their team tie the game 46-all heading into the fourth quarter.
Tyler Carpenter made a 3 from the corner, then Brown Jr. followed with a layup for the 51-46 lead. Jeffries’ two made free throws plus Pleas’ 3-point play tied the game for the final time. From there, the Panthers had missed opportunities, while Olive Branch closed the game out with clutch shots from Taylor and Jeffries.
Tough schedule
Olive Branch has played seven teams that are or have been ranked in the Top 50 in the nation, and the ‘Quistors are stronger because of the tough schedule they have had to play.
“I will take that,” a smiling Rambough said while holding a plate with two slices of pizza.
Other games
- Briarcrest Christian defeated Holy Spirit, 59-58, to improve to 15-1 of the season. Kennedy Chandler had 21 points, six assists, and three rebounds and was named MVP of the game. Marcellus Brigham added 14 points, 16 rebounds, and two assists. Anthony Edwards had 24 points, seven rebounds, and three assists for the Cougars.
- Wooddale defeated Chicago Simeon, 67-65. Senior forward Chandler Lawson nailed the game winner as the buzzer sounded. He finished with 15 points and 18 rebounds. Johnathan Lawson added 13 points and four rebounds. Guard Johnathan Duncan led the way with 23 points and was named MVP. Senior shooting guard Antonio Reeves had 28 points and eight rebounds to lead the Wolverines.
- Memphis East defeated Hamilton Heights, 61-55, to even the score from the first meeting. Senior shooting guard Derrein Merriweather had 18 points and three assists in the win and was named MVP. James Wiseman had 12 points and eight rebounds. Senior point guard Antonio Thomas added 10 points, four boards, and two assists. Junior wing Samson Ruzhentsev led the Hawks with 23 points and four rebounds. Junior point guard Jordan Rawls had 16 points on 6 of 19 shooting.