Jeff Davis Size too Much For Stanhope Elmore

By: Scott Nickerson

Sports Writer

            The Stanhope Elmore Mustangs scored the first six points after the halftime break to cut the Jeff Davis lead to only four points early in the 3rd quarter. It was the second time Stanhope Elmore cut the Jeff Davis lead to four points. It was the closest the Mustangs would get, as the visiting Volunteers outscored Stanhope Elmore 15-4 over the remainder of the 3rd quarter to push the lead back to double digits, where it was for the majority of the game. 

            Despite the Volunteers leading by 10 points for most of the game, the Mustangs fought and clawed and never appeared to give up. The Jeff Davis lead was never more than 14, but in the end, they were simply too big and too strong for the Mustangs. 

            Due to the size disadvantage, the Mustangs leaned on their guard play to score most of the points. Junior guard Sed Hall scored 7 of the Mustangs’ 9 points in the first quarter, but Jeff Davis’ transition offense and dominance in the paint helped them to a 17-9 lead heading into the 2nd quarter.

            Mustangs’ junior guard Jaden Tillman hit two quick baskets the first 30 seconds of the 2nd quarter to cut the lead to just four points, but Jeff Davis was able to extend the lead to 35-24 at the halftime break. 

            After the Mustangs cut the lead to four points again at 35-31 early in the 3rd quarter, Jeff Davis scored the next six points, and took a 50-35 lead into the final quarter. 

            Once again, the Mustangs started the quarter hot, and went on a 7-2 run in the opening minutes of the 4th quarter to cut the Jeff Davis lead to 10 points at 52-42, but the Mustangs were never able to get it to single digits. The Volunteers defeated Stanhope Elmore 63-49.

            Guards Hall and Tillman both scored 14 points for the Mustangs, while Jamerson scored 10 points. No other Mustang scored more than four points. Dillon Williams had seven rebounds for Stanhope Elmore, but no other Mustang had more than three rebounds, and Jeff Davis easily won the rebounding battle. 

            The Volunteers, who have played a tough schedule this year, to include games against Hoover, Pinson Valley, Carver and Calhoun, improved to 6-7 with the win. After winning on the road against Marbury in their previous game, the loss to Jeff Davis dropped the Mustangs’ record to 4-5.  Stanhope Elmore has lost their first two home games of the year, in tough competition against Tallassee from Class 5A and Jeff Davis from Class 7A. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for Stanhope Elmore. The Mustangs will travel to Tallassee for a rematch against the Tigers on Thursday, December 12. The Tigers suffered their first loss of the season last week in a one point defeat to Class 7A Auburn High School. The next day, the Mustangs will travel to Montgomery to take on Park Crossing.