he Leland Cubs (1-3) overcame a scrappy bunch of Humphreys County High Cowboys (1-3) Tuesday to claim a 53-49 victory. After the visitors surged back to under a double digit deficit with less than four minutes remaining in the game, it appeared that the Cowboys were poised for a comeback. But after a timeout, the Cubs patiently ran more than two minutes off the clock before Jontarius Pratt knocked down a three from the wing to open the lead back up to 45-36 with 2:10 remaining in the game.
“I wanted to spread the court and take their legs away from them because they were trapping and pressing hard,” said. Cubs head coach Adaiah Curry. “I told them to trust each other and that no one can beat us when we play under control.”
The Cubs jumped out to a double digit lead to open the third quarter with all five of its started contributing at least a bucket on a 12-5 run to open the quarter. The offensive boards that had been going Humphrey’s County’s way in the first half began bouncing Leland’s way in the second half.
The Cubs led 31-19 at the 4:31 mark of the third quarter. Davion Wilson punctuated the home teams stellar period with a steal and a break away coast to coast layup over a Cowboys defender at with 38 ticks remaining. Leland led 38-29 after three quarters. Humphreys County jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead in the first quarter. But the Cubs came roaring back by closing the opening frame on an 11-1 run sparked by seven points from DeMarcus Green. Leland maintained a margin of a couple of baskets most of the second quarter.
The Cowboys stayed close with offensive rebounding leading to easy opportunities and trips to the free throw line. In a series at the 1:17 mark of the second quarter Humphreys County pulled down four consecutive offensive boards before Pratt made a layup to pull the score to 19-17 in favor of Leland. Thanks to the final four points of the quarter being scored by the craftiness of mLeland led 22-17 at the half.
