JESSIEVILLE -- Stout outings from senior forwards Jeremy Elmquist and Brooks Spoon propelled Baptist Prep to the 3A-2 Regional title over Mayflower on Saturday night.
Elmquist finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks while Spoon put in 14 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals for the top-seeded Eagles (23-9), who got a stiff test from their league rivals but stormed away for a 50-44 victory at the Jessieville Sports Arena.
Senior guard Jaheim Cummings had 22 points to lead Mayflower (22-9), which made a game of it with a significant push in the second half. Mayflower (22-9) didn't get a big scoring game from standout Braxtyn McCuien, but the 6-6 junior made a difference during a crucial third-quarter run.
McCuien, who had 20 points and 12 boards in Friday's semifinals against Episcopal Collegiate, grabbed six rebounds and altered a number of other shots as Mayflower outscored Baptist Prep 12-3 during the opening seven minutes of the period to eliminate a 26-20 halftime deficit.
Mayflower got a quick bucket from Cummings to start the fourth to go up 36-32 but Baptist Prep roared back.
A free throw from senior forward Willoughby Rusher started a 9-0 run for Baptist Prep. A three-pointer by junior guard Hudson Likens gave them a 38-36 lead with 6:15 remaining in the game.
CONSOLATION
EPISCOPAL COLLEGIATE 59,
JESSIEVILLE 37
The Wildcats (20-11) broke an 8-8 tie with a 14-0 run in the second quarter to coast past the home team.
Senior guard Che Smith had 24 point, 7 rebounds and 4 steals for Episcopal Collegiate, which outscored the Lions 26-6 in that second quarter. Senior guard Jace Mitchell tacked on 16 points.
Freshman guard Noah Futch had a team-high 13 points for Jessieville (18-13).
Sports on 03/01/2020