Downtown Dothan Hoops Classic Quarterfinals: HA’s Bennett scores 32 (with video)

On the big stage of the Dothan Civic Center, Houston Academy sophomore Jo-El Bennett grew up a little.

Bennett’s 32 points, 10 rebounds and five assists pushed Class 2A Houston Academy by Class 5A Rehobeth 69-60 in the Downtown Dothan Hoops Classic quarterfinals.

The Raiders avenged a 17-point loss to the Rebels last week and will play Class 6A Dothan at 8 p.m. in the semifinals. Dale County and Houston County play in the other semifinal at 6 p.m.

Bennett hit 10-of-15 shots and got to the free throw line 11 times, hitting nine of those.

“I told him if he didn’t drive to the basket, I’d put someone else in who would,” HA coach Ron Watson said. “That was the difference in the game, him driving to the hole.”

Bennett played all 32 minutes and his 14 first-half points helped HA to a 39-33 halftime lead. The Raiders led by as many as 14 in the fourth quarter.

The Raiders’ David Gannon scored 14 and Wilson Brakefield 11.

“I’ve been weary going to the hole lately, but today I just took it to the hole,” Bennett said. “It’s just that young feeling, that sophomore feeling.”

Rehobeth hit just 17-of-64 shots, while HA hit 26-of-47. Anthony McBryde led the Rebels with 20 points. Ladavious McKinnon scored 14 and James Cummings 12.

Dothan 64, Georgiana 44: The Class 6A Tigers turned a close game with Class 1A No. 6 Georgiana and turned it into a rout.

The Tigers have now won five straight under first-year head coach Bill Porter Jr., and did it with dominating performances from forwards Khiry Thomas and Stephen Trawick.

The 6-foot-6, 267-pound Thomas scored 23 with 13 rebounds. Trawick scored 20 with 13 rebounds.

Dothan returned just two players from last year’s roster and struggled with turnovers early. Despite 20 on Monday, the Tigers got the win.

“Most of this roster was playing JV, freshman ball or middle school ball last year,” Porter Jr. said. “(The win streak is) due largely to handling the ball, lack of turnovers and getting the ball down in the post.”

Jerrod Lee led Georgiana, which was called for 23 fouls to Dothan’s 11, with nine points.

Houston County 64, Ashford 51: Four players scored in double figures for the Lions. Dominique Pledger led the way with 18 points. Desmond Warren scored 13, Andrew Bolden 12 and Edward Robinson 10 with 12 rebounds.

Tim James led Ashford with 22 points and D.C. Condrey scored 14.

Dale County 52, Slocomb 44: Trey Merritt led Dale County with 19 points and Justin Brown scored 11. Jermaine Williams scored 16 for Slocomb and Chase Merritt added 10 points.
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VIDEO 1 - Highlights from Dothan’s win over Georgiana. From the beginning, an inside bucket by Dothan’s Khiry Thomas, a block by Dothan’s Damarius Lewis, a 3-pointer from Georgiana’s Jamie Williams, a jumper from Dothan’s Stephen Trawick and an inside bucket from Georgiana’s Lamar Crittenden

VIDEO 2 - Dothan coach Bill Porter Jr. talks about his team’s win over Georgiana

VIDEO 3 - Dothan forward Khiry Thomas talks about his team’s win over Georgiana

VIDEO 4 - Highlights from Houston Academy’s win over Rehobeth. HA’s Jo-El Bennett hits two free throws, Rehobeth’s Anthony McBryde gets a rebound and put-back, Bennett hits a 3-pointer for HA, McBryde another tip-in for Rehobeth, HA’s Wilson Brakefield with a rebound and short jumper, Rehobeth’s Tyler Phares hits a three and HA’s David Gannon connects on a reverse lay-up. (sidenote: excuse the background conversation. The videographer likes it when baskets are scored).

VIDEO 5 - Houston Academy coach Ron Watson talks about his team’s win over Rehobeth

VIDEO 6 - Houston Academy’s Jo-El Bennett talks about his 32-point performance