Redskins were on the road to face the Dickson Comets on Feb. 3. Although the game was close early, the Redskins stepped up to the line in the fourth quarter and pulled away with a ten point, 50-40 victory.
The Redskins of Coach Taylor Weibner, currently ranked # 18 in the OSSAA poll, are coming off an impressive win over the Plainview Indians last week.
These young players are coming together as team and have matured since last December. The one area where they do have experience is at point guard and Senior Kaden Johnson. He has improved his game each week to the point that has established himself as the leader of the team.
In the first quarter, Johnson came out to exert himself on the Comets early.
His shooting was dead on. He had a three point goal and two field goals and a free throw for a eight point quarter.
His defense was also good as he was on his way to a five steal night.
He is showing to have a uncanny ability to be in the right position to get a rebound or make a steal. Jesse Rose had a good start with two field goals of his own.
The Comets were not going to make it easy and the lead after one was only three points, 12 to 9.
Second quarter action was much the same as the first. Despite Johnson being shut out of the scoring the team moved the ball around and had field goals from Rose, Marshall Ludrick, Dakota Weibner and Brycen Ellisor.
This brought the first half to a close as the Redskins clung to a 22 to 18 lead.
The third quarter saw the Redskins pull away slightly, as Johnson picked up where he left off in the first quarter, scoring two field goals and constantly pushing the ball up the court. Jase Hayes, Rose, and Ellisor all had field goals and Weibner added a three. The quarter ended with a little more breathing room and a 35 to 26 lead.
The fourth quarter can be described as a free throw parade. Whether or not intentional, the Comets were fouling and the Redskins made them pay.
Hayes had the only field goal of the quarter, and was six of six from the line.
He wasn’t the only one getting to the line. Johnson was two of five, Drew Capps was two of two as was Weibner, two of two. This left no chance for the Comets to mount a comeback. Final score, 50 to 40.
After the game Coach Weibner stated “We didn’t shoot the ball well overall, but we made enough plays defensively to get the job done”. When asked about the free throw shooting in the fourth, “Yes, definitely a good job late of closing the game with free throws and patience on offense” he said.
Final stats: Johnson lead all scorers with 14 points, Hayes was next with 11 including going six of six from the line in the fourth. Next up was Rose with a nice game and eight points, followed by Weibner also with eight. Also Ellisor had four and Capps and Ludrick with two each. As a team, from the free throw line, they were 16 of 24 for 67%. In the fourth quarter, 12 of 15 for 80% from the stripe.
Weather permitting the Redskins will travel to Tishomingo to take on the Indians on Feb. 7 th , Friday. Also on the injury list, Tucker Rumer will undergo surgery Wednesday (the 5th) to repair a bone fracture to the middle finger on his shooting (right) hand. Meanwhile Brady Brister continues to rest that sore foot and continues to wear a boot.