For the first time in at least 10 years, the Jefferson Dragons are not heading for the state tournament. In fact, they didn’t make it past the elimination round in the region tournament.
The Dragons saw their successful season, with 21 wins and four losses going into last Tuesday’s game, come to an end with a loss to the Union County Panthers, a team that had to play their way into the region tournament by beating Fannin County by one point on a last second shot the night before.
Jefferson coach Bolling DuBose said he knew going into Tuesday night’s game that it would be tough, as Union County matched up well all year against the Dragons.
Jessie Damons (22) puts a shot up at a recent game. Photo by Blair Buffington
Dragons’ season ends in first round
“After seeing everybody in the region, the one team that we had the hardest time with was Union County,” he said. “I wish I could put my finger on why. We did not play well against them either time during the regular season. Both of them were just ugly games.
“I said all year I would rather play Riverside, who went undefeated up there, than play Union the first round. And it turned out we got them the first round.”
The Dragons found themselves behind quickly, as Union took a 9-2 lead early. By the end of the first quarter, Jefferson trailed 18-10. The Panthers held Jefferson to only eight points in the second quarter.
The Dragons found themselves trailing by 16 with about two seconds left when they scored a late basket to close to within 14, as Union carried a 33-19 lead.
“I did feel like the pace and tempo of the game was what we wanted, and that if Union didn’t come out and just try to hold the ball in the second half, then we had a chance to come back,” DuBose said.
The Dragons hit the court in the third half with renewed vigor, and began getting a few turnovers that forced Union to take some bad shots. Jefferson also started to shoot the ball better, and began to cut into the Panthers’ lead.
With about 20 seconds left in the quarter, Chris Beck hit a three-point shot that gave Jefferson their first lead of the night, 38-37.
Union came back, however, nailing a three-point shot right at the end of the quarter to retake the lead, 40-38.
Maybe it was all the energy they had expended during the third quarter, but when the Dragons hit the court for the final eight minutes of play, they didn’t seem to have the same energy that they had coming out of the half. Union took advantage of this, nailing three consecutive lay-ups to put the Dragons down by eight.
Jefferson again came back, and with three minutes left, had cut the lead down to two points, 50-48. But a foul called on Jefferson while two players went after a loose ball may have made all the difference, as the Panthers were able to stretch their lead out to eight points.
Jefferson again charged late, cutting the lead to 58-55 with about 50 seconds left. But Union was able to hit some free throws down the stretch, and took a 60-55 victory.
Chris Beck led the Dragons in scoring with 17 points.
“I thought he played a great ball game,” DuBose said. “It was the best offensive game he had in quite a while.”
J.J. Damons scored 12 points against the Panthers.
“I thought he played really well on both ends of the floor,” DuBose added.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald.
“I said all year I would rather play Riverside, who went undefeated up there, than play Union the first round. And it turned out we got them the first round.”
The Dragons found themselves behind quickly, as Union took a 9-2 lead early. By the end of the first quarter, Jefferson trailed 18-10. The Panthers held Jefferson to only eight points in the second quarter.
The Dragons found themselves trailing by 16 with about two seconds left when they scored a late basket to close to within 14, as Union carried a 33-19 lead.
“I did feel like the pace and tempo of the game was what we wanted, and that if Union didn’t come out and just try to hold the ball in the second half, then we had a chance to come back,” DuBose said.
The Dragons hit the court in the third half with renewed vigor, and began getting a few turnovers that forced Union to take some bad shots. Jefferson also started to shoot the ball better, and began to cut into the Panthers’ lead.
With about 20 seconds left in the quarter, Chris Beck hit a three-point shot that gave Jefferson their first lead of the night, 38-37.
Union came back, however, nailing a three-point shot right at the end of the quarter to retake the lead, 40-38.
Maybe it was all the energy they had expended during the third quarter, but when the Dragons hit the court for the final eight minutes of play, they didn’t seem to have the same energy that they had coming out of the half. Union took advantage of this, nailing three consecutive lay-ups to put the Dragons down by eight.
Jefferson again came back, and with three minutes left, had cut the lead down to two points, 50-48. But a foul called on Jefferson while two players went after a loose ball may have made all the difference, as the Panthers were able to stretch their lead out to eight points.
Jefferson again charged late, cutting the lead to 58-55 with about 50 seconds left. But Union was able to hit some free throws down the stretch, and took a 60-55 victory.
Chris Beck led the Dragons in scoring with 17 points.
“I thought he played a great ball game,” DuBose said. “It was the best offensive game he had in quite a while.”
J.J. Damons scored 12 points against the Panthers.
“I thought he played really well on both ends of the floor,” DuBose added.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald.
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