Red Devils shut down Yellowjackets

Posted 1/19/23

The Chapel Hill Red Devils used an intense second-half defense and a fine finishing touch around the basket to steal a 49-38 win over the Mineola Yellowjackets on Mineola’s home court Friday.

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Red Devils shut down Yellowjackets

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The Chapel Hill Red Devils used an intense second-half defense and a fine finishing touch around the basket to steal a 49-38 win over the Mineola Yellowjackets on Mineola’s home court Friday.

The Yellowjackets came out storming. They opened a 7-0 lead and rode a wave of enthusiasm to carry the play throughout the first quarter, logging a 17-9 lead. 

Six Yellowjackets scored in that opening quarter, as they aggressively dictated the flow of the game and dominated the rebounding with great positioning and physical play. 

Braydon Alley – who should be near the top of all district rebounders – and D.J. Newsome were especially effective coming down with offensive and defensive boards. 

In addition to guard T.J. Moreland’s shooting touch, the senior guard made a series of excellent defensive plays over a two-minute span in the late quarter. 

Action settled a bit in the second quarter as Chapel Hill seemed to get their feet underneath them. Moreland continued his hot hand, adding seven points in the second quarter, but Chapel Hill had begun to find shots.

The visitors also cashed in at the line, in what was a very tightly-called game. Chapel Hill double-teamed the ball in the forecourt in the closing moments of the half, stole the ball and tied the game at 27 just before the break.

The visitors came out glued to the Jackets in the second half. Moreland notched seven more points early in the third. He scored on a very nice backdoor cut with an excellent bounce-pass assist from Dawson Pendergrass, a smooth left-handed driving lay-up, and a 3-pointer with an assist from Isaiah Gardner.

The Devils however, largely shut-down the Jackets in the second half. They offered no open shots and forced the Jackets to work hard to get a shot away. Meanwhile, Chapel Hill scored off an inbound play, a floater, a short drive and a breakaway. 

Chapel Hill led 40-34 going into the final quarter.

Although Mineola came out with renewed energy in the final period, they still could not find scoring opportunities against the Devil’s defense. 

Down by six points with 3:23 to play, Mineola initiated a full court press. Chapel Hill promptly broke the press and scored. They added two scores off set inbound plays, and time ran out on the Yellowjackets. 

Moreland finished with 20 points – the only Jacket in double figures, and the only Jacket to score in the second half.

After facing Quitman and Harmony, the Yellowjackets begin the second round of district play Jan. 24 at home against Winona.