MLK SHOWCASE

Mills wins by 54, not totally pleased

Even in an eventual 54-point victory against an overmatched opponent Saturday afternoon, Mills Coach Raymond Cooper had his concerns.

Junior forward Kevin Cross scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the No. 1 Comets trounced Brinkley 93-39 in the Martin Luther King Showcase at Baptist Prep.

Mills scored the game's first 15 points, led 31-4 after one quarter and put up 28 more shots than the Class 2A Tigers.

"We were just trying to make sure we didn't develop any bad habits and get sloppy," Cooper said. "There's not a whole lot you can get out of a game like this other than just hoping you don't play crazy. We tried to play some defense, move the ball on offense and run some plays that we've worked on in practice."

The Comets were far from perfect. Mills (15-2) hit only 6 of 23 three-point attempts and struggled from the free-throw line, going 9 of 19. But Brinkley (8-9) was no match for the Comets, especially on the boards. Mills outrebounded Brinkley 42-23 and made 21 steals compared to only 5 for the Tigers.

Senior guard Grehlon Easter added 16 points and 3 steals for Mills, while Branton McCrary and Patrick Greene each put in 10 points. Eleven players scored for Mills, which led 56-21 at the half and 83-32 after three quarters.

Senior Cameron Tucker led Brinkley with 13 points while senior T.J. James scored 11. Emmanuel Newby led the Tigers in rebounding with seven.

Mills had earned a 23-point victory over rival Little Rock McClellan 18 hours prior to Saturday's tip.

"We didn't throw the ball all over the gym," Cooper said. "Last night we got ahead and got really, really sloppy. Today, we stayed focused and I'm proud of them for doing that."

BRINKLEY (39)

Tucker 5 1-1 13, McGaugley 1 0-0 2, Wilburn 3 0-2 7, James 4 1-2 11, Miller 0 0-0 0, Eason 1 0-0 2, Newby 1 0-0 2, Swanigan 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 2-5 39.

MILLS (93)

Ford 1 0-0 3, McCrary 4 0-0 10, Easter 8 0-0 16, Greene 4 0-0 10, Virden 1 2-2 5, Clark 2 0-1 4, Peaster 2 2-4 6, Smith 1 0-0 2, Shelton 1 1-1 3, Cross 11 3-7 25, Wright 1 1-2 3, Jones 3 0-2 6. Totals 39 9-19 93.

Brinkley (8-9);4;17;11; 7 -- 39

Mills (14-2);31;25;27;10 -- 93

Three-point goals -- Brinkley 5 (James 2, Tucker 2, Wilburn); Mills 6 (McCrary 2, Greene 2, Ford, Virven). Team fouls -- Brinkley 12, Mills 9.

Sports on 01/14/2018

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