3 takeaways from Houston’s win over Southwind
It just seems like Houston and Southwind get the best out of one another each time both programs hit the floor. Last year, each program won a game in the regular season, and both matchups were tight for the most…
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Continue ReadingIt just seems like Houston and Southwind get the best out of one another each time both programs hit the floor.
Last year, each program won a game in the regular season, and both matchups were tight for the most part. In the first meeting this season, it was another tight one to the final buzzer.
The Mustangs defeated the Jaguars, 61-59, to improve to 17-3 on the season, but Houston needed a strong offensive push to top Southwind in the final four minutes of the game.
Here are three takeaways from the Mustangs’ win over the Jaguars:
Houston has balance in its starting five
The Mustangs’ starting five of TJ Madlock, Alden Applewhite, Zander Yates, Mason Miller and Faizon Fields is one of the best in the state. This starting lineup has balance offensively. In the first eight minutes, Houston was up 21-7 and four players for the Mustangs (Fields, Madlock, Miller and Applewhite) scored at least two points.
When the game was tied 47-all with four minutes left in the game, Fields, Yates, Applewhite and Madlock scored the team’s final 14 points. There was one more tie at 49 before a score from Yates put his team up for good.
Applewhite had a layup and a monster dunk to ignite the crowd, and Madlock went 4 for 4 from the charity stripe to seal the win.
Applewhite led the Mustangs with 17 points. Madlock had 14. Fields added 12, and Miller finished with 11.
Houston head coach Charlie Leonard never has to be concerned on who to call on to get a bucket. He has five starters that are more-than-capable of putting the ball in the net.
Southwind’s seniors didn’t quit
The Jaguars were down 21-7 after the first quarter, but rallied to get within 24-17. Southwind (13-7) was down 38-21 at the top of the third quarter, but rallied to tie the game at 47-all midway through the fourth quarter. The seniors for the Jaguars kept the team competitive. Senior guard Torien Stewart scored nine points (two 3s and a 3-point play) to tie the game 47-all with four minutes to go.
Senior guard Vincent Thomas connected on a layup to tie the game once more at 49 before the Mustangs took the lead for good.
Stewart led Southwind with 20 points. Caleb Spann had 16. Tawtiq Sawyer added 14.
The Jaguars have a nice group of seniors that are going to keep the team in a lot of games and also come out on top of games as well.
Feb. 4 should be another good one
Houston will host Southwind on Feb. 4. I fully expect both teams to duel it out next month. Both teams have players that are going to go hard for the full 32 minutes. The Jaguars refuse to quit when they’re down double-digits, and the Mustangs have a starting five that can score with any other starting five in the city of Memphis and possibly the state.