Olive Branch holds off Chicago Simeon, 65-59
Olive Branch head coach Eric Rambough knew what to expect from Chicago Simeon, a tough, physical matchup from start to finish. It went in that order, and the ‘Quistors needed one of their leaders to hold off the Wolverines. Senior…
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Continue ReadingOlive Branch head coach Eric Rambough knew what to expect from Chicago Simeon, a tough, physical matchup from start to finish.
It went in that order, and the ‘Quistors needed one of their leaders to hold off the Wolverines. Senior D.J. Jeffries stepped up to the plate.
Jeffries made four key free throws down the stretch to help Olive Branch (12-5) edge out Chicago Simeon (6-8), 65-59, Friday night in the ARS Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest. Jeffries, a Memphis commit in its 2019 class, was named MVP of the game after finishing with 21 points. Jeffries made three of the team’s eight 3-pointers.
The ‘Quistors had looked to have the game secured with a 52-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Wolverines made things interesting in the final two minutes. Olive Branch had costly turnovers, which resulted in easy scores for the road team.
Senior point guard Kejuan Clements scored five straight points for Chicago Simeon to cut its deficit to 61-55. Freshman wing Andre Casey Jr. scored a basket after Jeffries’ two made foul shots. The Wolverines went two straight possessions without a score, which resulted in the game being over once Jeffries made his next two foul shots to ice the game.
Jeffries made 6 of 11 shots from the foul line. Before his final four makes, Jeffries was only 2 for 7 from the charity stripe.
The return of combo guard Josh Stephenson gives the ‘Quistors another solid dimension to add into the rotation. With Stevenson in the rotation, Olive Branch is able to space the floor. Kyron Pleas, Joe Cooper, and Wes Taylor are three physical guards. Add in guard C.J. Owens with his 3-point shooting and the ‘Quistors will be tough to beat.
“The guard play was really good,” coach Rambough said. “At halftime, I told them we have 13 assists. That means our guards are moving the ball. They are making the extra pass. That’s what we preach.”
Cooper finished with 12 points, while junior forward Cameron Matthews added 10. Pleas scored only four points, but made a big difference on the defensive end, despite picking up his fourth foul late in the fourth quarter.
Senior guard Antonio Reeves led Chicago Simeon with 20 points. Junior forward Sincere Callwood added 10. Clements finished with nine and went 4 of 6 from the free throw line.
Olive Branch has to play Bartlett Saturday night in the last game of the ARS Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest. The Panthers defeated Meadowcreek (GA), 62-50 Friday night. The ‘Qusitors will not have much time to relax as another battle awaits them.
“We match up really well,” Rambough said. “They got guards, they got some bigs. They’re athletic, they like to run. They’re a lot of the same things. I think it’s going to come down to whichever team executes the best offensively and defensively.”
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