McAdams boys began the 1A playoffs Tuesday after winning a third consecutive Region 6-1A tournament. As the top seed from 6-1A, the Bulldogs hosted Enterprise-Lincoln, the fourth seed for 8-1A.
McAdams won the region tournament with victories over Ethel 69-42 and Leake County, the host team, 69-63.
It was the rubber game for McAdams against Leake County after the teams split their two regular season contests. Each won at home, the Bulldogs 71-48 and the Gators 65-59, and they tied for the region title with 9-1 records
McAdams led 33-22 at the half and held on for the victory.
“We got off to a good lead in the first half. That helped us in the second half when we got into foul trouble,” said coach Kenyon Ross.
Foul shooting has been a problem for the Bulldogs much of the season, but it proved to be the deciding factor against Leake County. McAdams made 12 of 17 while the Gators were 11 of 27.
Jacquese Greer had a strong all court game for McAdams with 16 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Ross marveled at his rebounding by a point guard well under six feet.
Cameron Fleming scored 21 points, Tyrick Davis 19, and both were better than 50 percent from the floor, Fleming 8-15 and Davis 7-13.
Some key statistics showed the Bulldogs with the edge in transition points 22-4, points off turnovers 22-13, points in the paint 44-28, assists 17-10 ad steals 10-2.
McAdams had an easy time against Ethel in the semifinals, leading 49-24 at the half on its way to a 69-42 victory, the third of the season against the Attala County rival. Fleming had 21 points, Davis 17 and Greer 14, along with six rebounds, six assists and four steals.
The same three have led the Bulldogs offensively throughout the season, but Ross said they need help from their teammates. “We don't need two or three batmen. We need everybody to come in and do their job. If everybody plays their roll, we are gong to be all right.”
The Bulldogs reached the semifinals at the Mississippi Coliseum that past two seasons, but this year's team enters the playoffs with a far better record at 20-2. The major difference, Ross said, is experience.
“They understand what to do in close games.”
With a victory over Enterprise, McAdams will have a home game Saturday against either Mount Olive, the second place team from 7-1A or Simmons, third from 5-1A.
“We have to come to play,” Ross said. “At this time, anybody can beat anybody. We take it one day at a time. We are not overlooking anybody.”
If the Bulldogs reach the third round, the game will be at Clinton High School February 23.
