3 takeaways from the Mustangs’ win over Bartlett

<p><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Memphis East head coach Javonte Holmes was without two key players in Tuesday night’s home game against Bartlett. The Mustangs were missing junior guard </span><strong style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Jelani Willis</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> and sophomore forward </span><strong style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Markese</strong> <strong style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Washington</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> (flu), forcing coach Holmes to go with a seven-player lineup.</span></p> <p>On Tuesday night, it worked.</p> <p>Despite foul trouble early on that bled into the second half, Memphis East (3-1) was able to defeat the Panthers (4-3) 74-62 behind balanced scoring. This was a much-needed win for the Mustangs as they have to prepare for the Wooddale Cardinals, who are led by junior guard/forward <b>Johnathan</b> <b>Lawson</b>, Friday night.</p> <p>This was the first matchup between both schools and there’s a chance both schools could meet up at some point in the postseason.</p> <p>This was my first time watching both schools in the 2019 season.</p> <p>Here are 3 takeaways from the Mustangs’ win over Bartlett:</p> <p><strong>Balanced scoring helped Holmes’ team</strong></p> <p>Holmes mentioned to me after the win that he really likes his team. I can see why if he’s talking about how well Memphis East scored the basketball. As a team, the Mustangs made 28 of 50 shots. Seven different players scored for Memphis East, with five of the seven scoring in double figures. Senior forward <strong>Duane Posey</strong> led the Mustangs with 18 points and seven rebounds.</p> <p>Senior guard <strong>Isaiah Cathey</strong> had 15. Sophomore point guard <strong>Terrance Jacobs Jr.</strong> added 13. Junior guard <strong>Tadarius Jacobs</strong> finished with 12 points, six rebounds and six assists. Senior forward <strong>Kylan Haywood</strong> added 10 points. Memphis East had this offensive balance without Washington and Willis in the fold.</p> <p>Holmes couldn’t help but smile after seeing these numbers.</p> <p><strong>Free throw shooting was a plus for the Mustangs</strong></p> <p>Midway through the fourth quarter, Memphis East built a 64-53 lead off a score from Posey, then the Mustangs were able to maintain a double-digit lead thanks to their free throw shooting. Memphis East made 9 of 12 from the free throw line to close out the game. For the game, the Mustangs went 14 for 17 from the charity stripe.</p> <p><strong>Bartlett missed too many close-ups</strong></p> <p>The Panthers were in striking distance early in the third quarter. A 3 from senior guard <strong>Ricky Lofties</strong> and a score from freshman guard <strong>Regale Moore</strong> had Bartlett within 40-38. Then, the Panthers got within two once more off two made foul shots by senior <strong>Rodney Mason Jr.</strong> It was 42-40 at that point, and Bartlett wouldn’t get any closer.</p> <p>The Panthers dug itself a hole by missing shots at the rim. It was almost like some of the players for Bartlett couldn’t see where the basketball needed to go. It was a bad shooting night for the Panthers. As a team, Bartlett made 19 of 49 shots from the field.</p> <p>Mason Jr. led the team with 19 points. Lofties added 13 and junior guard <strong>Will Farris</strong> had 10.</p>