The opening of the new season of Commerce Tiger basketball seems like old (2009-10) times, as the Tigers won their first three games, defeating Oglethorpe County twice and picking up their first region victory over Riverside.
The Tigers will cross the river to Jefferson Friday night in non-region action.
The Dragons enter play this week after going 2-2 to open their season with wins against West Hall and Franklin County and losses to Heritage and Johnson.
For Commerce, it’s a chance to add another win in what’s been a record been heavily lopsided in Jefferson’s favor. Between Jan. 8, 2005, and Feb. 30, 2009, the Dragons won 11 straight games. The Tigers snapped the streak this past January, winning 63-56, but Jefferson bounced back to win the rematch 87-55 on Jan. 29.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
Oglethorpe County
The Tigers opened their season in Lexington against Oglethorpe County.
Commerce found itself trailing the Patriots early, with Oglethorpe pulling out to a five-point advantage, 11-6, by the end of the first quarter. The Tigers regrouped in the second quarter, holding the Patriots to just three points while they added 15 to their tally to carry a 21-14 advantage into the half.
Commerce continued the assault on the basket in the third quarter, putting another 19 points on the board while allowing Oglethorpe just 16, making it a 40-30 game at the end of the third. The Tigers put the game away in the fourth quarter, adding 16 points while holding the Patriots to six in the final eight minutes, giving Commerce the 56-36 victory.
Brandon Romans led Commerce in scoring with 13 points. Channing Anderson scored 12, Bubba Bonds and Anthony Norris had 11 each and Thomas McMillan scored 9.
Pats Again
The two teams were matched up again Friday night, as Commerce this time hosted Oglethorpe in the Tigers’ home opener.
Commerce took control early on, moving out to a seven-point advantage, 18-11, by the end of the first quarter. That grew to nine points, 32-23, at the half.
The Patriots surged in the third period, outscoring Commerce 26-21 to close the gap to four at 53-49 at the end of the third period. The game remained nip-and-tuck to the buzzer, but the Tigers pulled their lead out again to eight points to win 78-70.
Bonds led the scoring with 18 points. Tyler Gamble added 15, followed by Brandon Romans (13), Marquese Butler and McMillan (8 each), Norris (7), Kentrell Williams and Channing Anderson (5 each) and Chase Klugh (1).
Riverside
Saturday saw the Tigers travel to Gainesville for their first region pairing against Riverside Military Academy.
Much like in their season opener, Commerce found itself trailing early, as the Eagles led 13-10 after one quarter. From there, the Tigers pounced on Riverside, holding the Eagles to just two points in the second while putting 20 points of their own to make it 30-15 at the half.
Riverside attempted to mount a charge in the third quarter, putting 12 points on the board, but Commerce increased its lead by scoring 17 points to make it 47-27 after three periods. The Tigers put the game away with an 18-10 fourth quarter, giving Commerce the 65-37 victory.
Romans led Commerce with 12 points. Butler scored nine, Klugh and Anderson added eight apiece, Jonathan Book scored six and McMillan contributed five. Bonds, Norris, and Robert Hayes scored four each, while Williams and Tyre Treadwell scored two each and Gamble added one.
The Tigers were scheduled to host Athens Academy on Tuesday. Results were unavailable at press time.
