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Watching a Jr High basketball game is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get. And that was the case Thursday evening when the Dupo 8th Grade Tigers boy’s basketball team traveled to Valley Park, Missouri to take on the Hawks. But the Tigers prevailed winning the game 35-32 despite a fourth quarter run by the Hawks.
The first quarter was close although uneventful as the Tigers outscored the Hawks 8-6. But the quarter was filled with offensive and defensive miscues that neither team could seem to capitalize on. Bad shots, missed shots, turnovers and a multitude of fouls characterized not only the first quarter but the entire first half as the Tigers outscored the Hawks 5-4 in the second quarter to make it 13-10 Dupo at the half.
The Tigers picked up the intensity in the second half with their full court press. The press paid off as the Hawks turned the ball over and Tiger shooters began to find the bottom of the basket. The Tigers were gaining confidence while the Hawks seemed to be losing their composure. The Tigers went on to outscore the Hawks 16-5 in the third quarter to take a 29-15 lead going into the fourth quarter. The 16-5 run would be the difference maker in the game.
It was a reversal of fortunes in the fourth quarter, as the two teams seemed to switch roles from the third quarter. The Hawks were breaking the Tigers press, getting good shots and making them and outscored the Tigers in the fourth quarter 17-6. The Tigers went cold on offense and their half court defense gave the Hawks opportunities to score. With one minute left in the game and the Tigers leading 33-28 the Hawks called a timeout. Out of the timeout the Hawks began to immediately foul the Tigers in order to stop the clock and get possession of the ball and for a time the strategy worked. After Hawks fouls put Dupo in the bonus, the Tigers had a chance to close the deal on the game, but the Tigers failed to convert at the line and the Hawks took advantage. Valley Park came to within one point of the Tigers at 33-32 with 21.1 seconds left in the game but the Tigers held on as Deondre Brown made both ends of a one and one with 3.5 seconds left to seal the victory for the Tigers 35-32.
Tigers scoring was balanced Thursday evening as Deondre Brown led the Tigers with 10 points followed by Brett Aldridge with 8 points, Tyler Barnes with 7 points, Willie Kidd with 6 points and Corey Biggs with 4 points. Danny Riefle and Zach George provided the Tigers with some quality minutes as well. The 8th Grade boy’s team is now 8-7 on the season and will finish the regular season on Tuesday, January 19th at Fulton Jr High in O’Fallon, Illinois. The game at Fulton should be a nice challenge for the Tigers as they prepare for the Regionals, which begin February 2nd at Carriel School in O’Fallon, Illinois.
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