Downtown Dothan Hoops Classic Day 2: Rehobeth routs Geneva (with video)

Rehobeth nearly blew a double-digit lead in the first half. The Rebels didn’t come close to doing that in the second.

The Rebels turned a one-point, early third-quarter lead into a 23-point win, routing Geneva 64-41 in a Downtown Dothan Hoops Classic first round game Saturday at the Dothan Civic Center.

A halfcourt trap forced several turnovers after Geneva’s Darius Flowers scored down low on the Panthers’ first possession of the second half, cutting the lead to 23-22.

Rehobeth then got an offensive rebound and a three from James Cummings, going on a 20-3 run over the next five minutes to put the game away.

“We’re long,” Rehobeth coach Larry Easterwood said. “We’re not overly tall but we’ve got a lot of width and wingspan. It helps in our trap. People have had hard times throwing out of our trap when we do it right.”

The Rebels scored the first 12 points of the game before Flowers scored down low for Geneva four minutes in, but Rehobeth held a 16-9 lead after one quarter.

Geneva got a three from Tate Sutherland with a minute left in the first half, cutting the lead to 21-18, but Rehobeth scored on a steal and layup from Anthony McBryde. Sutherland hit a pair of free throws near the end of the half, sending the Panthers into the break down just three at 23-20.

But after Flowers scored to open the second half, it went downhill for Geneva.

“When we play teams that are as physical as Rehobeth is, we’ve struggled,” Geneva coach Michael Crews said. “That’s as quick a starting five as we’ve played. Their halfcourt pressure gave us some problems.

“We had some good looks at the basket, but that’s what pressure is all about, forcing you into those shots. We haven’t had guys step up and hit those shots yet.”

Rehobeth led 46-29 at the end of three quarters, leading as much as 25 before the final horn. The Rebels will play in the semifinals Monday at 8 p.m.

It’s been a remarkable year already for Rehobeth, which now at 7-6 has more than doubled last year’s win total (3-23).

“I had two seniors who came back and a good influx of people off the JV and they’ve meshed well together,” Easterwood said. “We expected good things from the summer. They worked hard in the weight room and it’s showing.”

For Rehobeth, Ladavious McKinnon led the way with 20 points. Zaccheus Watford scored 14, and his four first-quarter blocks spurred the Rebels’ 12-0 opening run. Anthony McBryde scored 12.

Flowers led Geneva (5-8) with 12 points, and Willie Williams, who picked up his third foul early in the second quarter, scored 10.

Georgiana 51, New Brockton 39: Jerrod Lee hit 12-of-14 free throws, scoring 16 points and leading Georgiana to the semifinals. Damien McIntosh added 11 points.

Tevin McNair and Justin Fowler each scored 12 for New Brockton.

Houston Academy 48, Wicksburg 42: The Raiders battled from a 7-point halftime deficit and took the lead for good when Josh Williford converted a 3-point play late in the third quarter.

David Gannon and Hunter Barkley hit key 3-pointers for HA in the fourth, and Gannon hit 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to ice the game. Gannon led HA with 14 points.

Sean Harris scored 14 for Wicksburg, and Matt Presgraves scored 10.

Dothan 77, Malone 61: Khiry Thomas was dominant for the Tigers, scoring 26 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Stephen Trawick scored 21 with nine rebounds. Demarius Lewis scored 14 and Greg Marsh 10 for Dothan.

Maceil Clemons led Malone with 17 points, and Ladarius McElroy scored 11.

Semifinal action resumes Monday. Slocomb plays Dale County at 2 p.m., Houston County plays Ashford at 4 p.m., Dothan plays Georgiana at 6 p.m. and Rehobeth plays Houston Academy at 8 p.m.

———————————————————————-
DAY 2 VIDEO

VIDEO 1 - Rehobeth/Geneva highlights.  Two plays of note early on are Rehobeth’s Ladavious McKinnon hitting a three, then scoring on a layup after a steal.

VIDEO 2 - Rehobeth coach Larry Easterwood on his team’s win over Geneva Saturday.

VIDEO 3 - Rehobeth players James Cummings (left) and Anthony McBryde after the Rebels’ win Saturday.

VIDEO 4 - Georgiana coach Kirk Norris on his team’s win over New Brockton Saturday.

VIDEO 5 - Highlights from Houston Academy’s win over Wicksburg. The two scoring plays are HA’s David Gannon scoring on a driving layup, followed by Wicksburg’s Matt Presgraves doing the same.

VIDEO 6 - Houston Academy’s Josh Williford talks about the Raiders’ win over Wicksburg.