The Simmons Blue Devils (4-14, 1-7) fell short to a North Side Gator (8-9, 1-2) team out of Bolivar County on Wednesday night, 49-44.
“Besides being such a young team, we just cannot find ways to close out,” Simmons’ head coach Carl Lucas said. “We had a few turnovers down the stretch by our guards who all are sophomores and that kind of put us in a predicament where we were not able to win the game in the end.”
Momentum was fairly steady for the Blue Devils in the early part of the game, save a few turnovers and missed free throws.
The Blue Devils’ defense managed to keep the Gators from attaining a substantial lead throughout the game.
However, the defense wasn’t enough to put the Blue Devils in optimal scoring position.
Lucas said, “Late in the game, a couple turnovers did not go our way and that’s really what cost us.”
With such a young corp of mostly sophomores, the Blue Devils are still trying to find their footing when it comes to dominating their opponent. The sophomores on the team include Anterrian Hawkins, Shamarr McClay, Gregory Chambers, Vontrez Rush, Lavont Rush, Octavius Robinson and Javonte White.
Suffering nine straight losses is not an easy pillow to swallow, but Simmons’ head coach Carl Lucas is leading the young men from game to game, helping them to gradually build on what they are doing right.
Many of the Blue Devils’ losses have come down to the wire which indicates potential is there, the players just have to work hard to supplement it.
The Blue Devils faced off with the Humphreys County Cowboys at home on Friday night and have an away game scheduled for this Saturday night against the South Delta Bulldogs.
