Spring Creek senior Justin Raiford (22) goes after a loose-ball rebound during second-half action against Jones Senior Tuesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek’s Nathan Jackson, back, works to get rebounding position against Jones Senior’s Dylon Darke during their non-conference game in ‘The Swamp’ Tuesday. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek’s Justin Raiford (22) dives for a loose ball after Jones Senior’s Keonte Roberts lost possession Tuesday evening. Watching the play are the Gators’ Brennan Chambers (5), Kam McDaniel (2) and head coach Tray Jones. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — Play our game. Newly-minted Spring Creek boys’ basketball coach Tray Jones stressed that message at halftime against Jones Senior Tuesday evening.
It didn’t fall on deaf ears.
Instead of succumbing to a double-digit, first-half deficit, the Gators staged a thrilling second-half rally in “The Swamp.” Kam McDaniel and Brennan Chambers combined for 19 second-half points in a 68-65 conquest of the previously-unbeaten Trojans.
Jones Senior built a 16-point lead in the first period.
Spring Creek whittled away at the deficit and entered halftime down by nine.
“[Second quarter] was very important because if we would have kept playing the same way, it would have gotten a little more out of hand,” Jones said. “At halftime, I told the guys to take a deep breath and let’s get back to our game. That’s what we have to do.”
Jackson Rose’s layup capped a 9-0 run as the Gators climbed to 38-37 barely two minutes into the third quarter.
The Trojans (2-1 overall) maintained a one-possession advantage until McDaniel got loose underneath the Gators’ basket. He drove the baseline, kissed a shot off the glass and gave SC its first lead, 49-48, with 2:46 on the clock.
Jones led 54-53 after three quarters.
McDaniel’s two-handed jam pushed Spring Creek ahead 59-56 early in the third period. The Trojans regained the lead with a layup from senior Keonte Roberts and 3-pointer from senior Gabriel Butler off Roberts’ assist.
Tied at 63-63, McDaniel scored inside. Chambers converted a steal into an easy layup, which sent the home crowd into a frenzy. The Gators led 67-63 with just under 50 seconds left in regulation.
Jones pulled to within 67-65. Chambers hit the back end of a two-shot foul to seal the outcome and keep Spring Creek unbeaten in two outings this season.
“Unbelievable, hard to describe that kid,” Jones said of Chambers. “He’s a different athlete. He’s doing what I’ve asked him to and he’s been real successful. The guys call him ‘Lebron’ and I call him ‘B5.’ He knew this year was going to be his year and that he had to step up a little bit more.”
Chambers finished with 21 points, while McDaniel poured in 20. Jackson knocked down 17.
The Gators snapped a two-game skid against the Trojans.
The teams square off in a rematch Nov. 27 in Trenton.
