Jacket boys split tournament games

Jeff Davis High School’s boys basketball team split the opening two games of the 2021-2022 season, falling to Brantley County 56-39 and defeating Citizens Christian Academy 76-30. Both games were played in Hazlehurst during the annual Hugh McBride Tip-Off Tournament.
The Jackets were hampered in last Saturday’s opening game by the fact the players who also played football were unable to play as, the night before, they played played in the playoff football game against Rabun County.
By Monday, the second day of the tournament, the football players were able to dress for the game and the impact was obvious.
In Saturday’s opener, Bran Swain shouldered much of the offensive burden as he was the only player in double figures with 14 points. In Monday’s CCA game, five players hit in double figures as the Jackets routed CCA and Coach Bo Boatright was able to give his younger players some valuable court time.
Against Brantley, the Jackets were out-scored in each quarter and trailed 31-20 at intermission.
Backing up Swain in scoring were Elijah Phillips and Ahmad Clements with eight points each, Lamontae Deeds and Brandon Sturgis had three each, A.J. Hunt scored two and Malachi Smith hit a free throw.
The Jackets showed good touch at the free throw line, hitting 15-of-19, led by Swain who was 8-of-9.
Alex Green led the Herons with 25 points.
The Jackets outscored Citizens Christian 20-5 in the first quarter, blew to a 36-14 halftime lead and coasted to the 76-30 win.
Sturgis topped the JD scoring with 16, C.J. Parker had 14, Swain 13, Mike Dotson 12 and Phillips 10. Amari Jackson added four, Clements three, and Hunt and Bobby Jones two each.
CCA showed little aggression in the game as they were not called for foul during the entire contest. The Jackets were whistled for 15 fouls.
Cody Davis topped the CCA scoring with 10 points.
Score by quarters:
BCHS 14 17 11 14 -56
JDHS 8 12 9 10 -39

CCA 5 9 14 2 -30
JDHS 20 16 25 15 -76