The McAdams boys’ basketball team played shorthanded in two games last week, a 47-36 victory over Philadelphia and a 66-32 loss to Leake Central. The Bulldogs were without two starters for both games.
A big third quarter for McAdams keyed the win over Philadelphia. The Bulldogs led 20-19 at the half, then broke the game open by outscoring the Tornadoes 21-6 in the third quarter.
Cameron Fleming had 19 points, six rebound and two steals for the Bulldogs. Jalena Greer contributed 11 points, five rebounds and two steals and Jacquese Greer eight points, six rebounds and five steals.
“We're still not shooting the ball like we did last year,” said Coach Kenyon Ross. “Defensively we have been pretty solid. We had a really good defensive performance against Philadelphia. Offensively, we have a lot of areas to improve, but defensively we played one of the best games since I have been here.”
Fleming was also the team's high scorer against Leake Central with 11 points.
“We played well the first quarter,” Ross said of the period that ended with Leake Central ahead 19-13. But the Bulldogs were outscored 20-5 and 21-5 the next two periods.
“They're a 4A school and have a lot of depth. We're a 1A school minus two starters. That really depletes you,” said Ross. “We're playing a lot of young kids, a lot of ninth graders. They have to step up and be starters or first off the bench. That will be good for us down the road.”
GIRLS
The Lady Bulldogs were defeated by Leake Central and Philadelphia by identical scores of 51-26.
Ross was acting coach against Leake Central.
“I was impressed with how they performed with me coaching them for the first time,” said Ross. “We did some good things in spurts.”
Thirty turnovers resulting in 33 Leake Central points proved to be McAdams' downfall.
Ameri Gadson led the Lady Bulldogs with eight points and four steals. Jamae Wright had 14 points for Leake Central.
Ashley Brown returned as coach for the Philadelphia game. Shatikka Greer scored seven points.
The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs played Louisville, another 4A team, Tuesday and will be at Philadelphia Friday. Ross is in his second year at McAdams after previously coaching the Louisville girls, where he won a state companionship in 2019.
“It's going to be two physical games,” he said for the boys. “Philadelphia is a physical team. Going there is going to be a hostile environment.”
