Published: November 20, 2008 03:42 pm         

Despite turnovers, Jackets hold on

By Mark Monosky

The North Jefferson News



Corner won its second boys’ game of the season, beating Cleveland 63-53.

The game was close until the fourth period. In the fourth Corner blew the game wide open with 18-5 run to start off the period.

Kyle Belcher led the Yellow Jackets in scoring with 18 points. Belcher also led in rebounds with eight.

“Glad to get out of there with a win,” said Yellow Jacket coach Billy Conner. “We turned it over more tonight then we’ve turned it over all year. We turned the ball over more in the first half then we did in the first two ball games put together. We needed a close game, we hadn’t had one yet. I am just proud of our kids for holding on down the stretch.”

Cleveland led at the end of the first period 15-12. Colton Bearden had a great first period for the Panthers with eight points in the period. But the Jackets were able to come back in the second period. The offensive play of Corner’s Damon Knox, Blake Anderson, and Jake Eiland in period helped the Jackets take a 32-28 lead into half.

The third period saw six lead changes. The Panthers were able to go up and down the court with the Jackets the whole period. Corner finally took the lead in the period after a Kyle Belcher field goal and led at the end of the third, 43-42.

The fourth period started off fast for the Yellow Jackets when Patrick Rhodes nailed a three-pointer to start the period off. The points helped to start a Jackets 18-5 run. The Corner defense also took over, holding the Panthers to only 11 points in the final period.

Kyle Belcher led the Yellow Jackets in rebounds with eight. Both Cody Green and Damon Knox had six rebounds for Corner.

The Yellow Jackets were 11 of 15 from the free throw line in the victory.

Friday night Corner starts area play at Oak Grove.