Hoke JV Beats Swett; One Win Away from SEC Title

RAEFORD, NC - Tuesday night would be the last home game for the JV Bucks for the 2010-2011 season.  After just defeating Scotland 67-24 Friday night, the young Bucks seemed to have the momentum coming into the game.  In the first quarter, the Bucks struggled to find any rhythm on the offensive end.  Purnell Swett took advantage by racing out to a 6-point lead after one period of play.  The Bucks would apply full-court pressure to start the second quarter, and this would turn the game around for the home team.  Hoke would quickly erase the deficit and jump out to a ten-point advantage at the end of the half.  The teams would trade baskets in the second half, as Hoke (12-5 overall, 8-1 in SEC) would hold on to their double digit lead until the final whistle, defeating Purnell Swett (0-9 in SEC) 58-46 in their final home game of the year.  Scoring in double figures for Hoke were Jawane Harris with 12 points, followed by Jared Cole with 11.  Detrez Newsome and Anthony McLaughlin would each score 9 points in the winning effort.  Rounding out the scoring for the Bucks were Keshawn Shaw-Willis with 6, Willie Bradshaw with 4, Tariq Sanders with 3, and Dakwan Wade and Simon Love with 2 points each.

The Hoke JV basketball team returns to action Friday night in their last game of the year when they travel to Pinecrest.  The game is set to begin at 7:30, after the JV girls' game is completed.  Due to Pinecrest (7-2 in SEC) defeating Richmond (7-2 in SEC) 66-63 Tuesday night, the Bucks moved into sole possession of first place in the Southeastern Conference.  If Hoke defeats Pinecrest, the Bucks win the SEC Championship.  If Pinecrest defeats Hoke and Richmond defeats Scotland, there would be a three-way tie for the conference crown between Hoke, Pinecrest, and Richmond.

Coach Butler:  We really struggled to score in the first period.  I would have been more disappointed if we weren't getting good lucks, but we were missing easy baskets in the lane.  We couldn't get into our press until we happened to turn it over on the offensive end.  Once we got into our press, we were able to get some easy baskets and get into a rhythm on offense.  We have to start better against Pinecrest if we want to win the title on Friday night.  

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:  Detrez Newsome - 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 5 steals

Thank you to Alicia Arrington and Michelle Shorter for keeping the statistics for the boys.