Yoe falls just short to #1 Jarrell, edges Hearne

Jarrell

When Cameron played Jarrell on Friday, it was one of the most meaningful games to be played in Yoe Gym in some time. Jarell came into the contest as the number on team in the state and undefeated at 6-0, but Cameron was right there at 5-1.

At the end of the night, the Yoemen did not pull off the upset, but proved their staying power in what was a tight and competitive 59-53 loss.

Cameron led 16-11 after the opening quarter and the game swayed back and forth and stayed within 2 to 3 points most of the evening.

“Before the game, I told the kids that this game was a testing ground for us to prove that if we get to the playoffs, that we can hang with the big dogs,” said Yoe coach Nick Burns. “Can we hang with the Teague's or the Jarrell's in the fourth round? I told the boys that we don't want to leave any effort on the court and when you walk off, you don't leave an ounce out there. I can honestly say that our boys did not leave an ounce. Our boys had heart. I'm so proud of our guys.”

Besides the early five-point lead, Cameron also did a good job up neutralizing Jarrell’s top scoring threat in center Qyrique Dabon. The big man was saddled with two early fouls and was sent to the bench for a good chunk of the opening two quarters.

Dabon did return later in the game and was a force the rest of the way, tallying 28 points on the night. Fellow senior TJ Sykes came in with 16 points for 44 of Jarrell’s 59 points.

Scoring was balanced for Cameron, but Dre Booze’s 14 and Levi May’s 11 kept Cameron within shouting distance.

“We came in thinking we could win,” said May. “We played hard. Coach said every giant has to fall. We lost, but we gave it our all.”

Stat Leaders

Points: Dre Booze (14), Levi May (11), Kobe Young (7), Nico Vargas (7), Calvin Stewart (5), Jay Shields (5)

Rebounds: May (7), Keanu McCarter (3), Vargas (2), Booze (2)

Hearne

There was a lot riding on the line heading into Tuesday’s 20-3A tilt between Cameron and Hearne. Both teams sat at 5-2 in the standings, and the winner would be sitting pretty for the playoffs and would also be alone in second place.

After 2 grueling hours of play, you could tell what the game meant to both teams as Cameron battled through adversity to pull out a 79-77 overtime win.

“We like to make everything interesting,” said Burns following the thrilling win. “If you’re going to be a playoff team and make a deep run, you have to learn to win every type of game. The one game we haven't learned how to play in was an overtime game, and now we can check that off.” 

Through the midpoint of the third, it did not look like there were going to be many dramatics, as Cameron held a 14 point lead and was starting to impose their will.

Hearne responded and the game was tied at 61 in the fourth, thanks primarily to second chance points off of 40 offensive rebounds. Cameron’s Levi May, which finished the game with 31 points, was big the entire night. The senior sunk a 15-foot jump shot with 40 seconds remaining to tie the game at 65. The next time down the court he was fouled and proceeded to put through both free throws.

Cameron led 69-67 with seconds remaining, but Hearne knocked down a layup attempt while being fouled at the buzzer. The free throw attempt fell short, forcing overtime.

DJ Daniels put Cameron up 78-77, going to length of the court in transition. Kobe Young then hit 1 of 2 free throws to put the Yoemen up 79-77 as Hearne took a timeout with just 2.5 seconds on the clock. The inbound pass was deflected by May and the clock ran out without another shot going up.

“Coach Burns told me to take over,” said May, whom went from 4 points in the first matchup to 31 on Tuesday. “He told me last time I played like I didn’t want to shoot. He said to take over, and I did what he told me.”

The win now moves Cameron to 6-2 in 20-3A and all alone in second place.

“We had to learn how to play through adversity,” said Burns. “We played a heck of a team in Hearne tonight and there was a reason they were 5-2 in district. “It gives us a secure spot and number two. Our boys fought and were able to keep their composure, and I’m proud of them for that.”

Stat Leaders

Points: May (31), Booze (11), Thomas Melton (10), Vargas (10), Stewart (5), McCarter (5), Young (4)

Rebounds: Boozer (9), May (8), Vargas (8), Young (5), Melton (3)

Tuesday’s 20-3A Results: Jarrell 59, Cameron Yoe 53; Franklin 43, Rogers 36; Hearne 78, Lexington 58; Rockdale 57, Academy 54.

Friday’s 20-3A Results: Cameron Yoe 79, Hearne 77; Jarrell 65, Rockdale 55; Academy 42,

Rogers 27; Franklin over Lexington

20-3A Standings (6 games remaining)

1. Jarrell (8-0), 2. Cameron Yoe (6-2), 3. Hearne (5-3), 3. Franklin (5-3), 5. Rockdale (3-5), 5. Academy (3-5), 7. Rogers (2-6), 8. Lexington (0-8).

Cameron will host Franklin in a very important game on Friday before hitting to road at Lexington on Tuesday.

Top 25 Rankings (January 22)

1. Jarrell (19-4), 2. Cole (27-1), 3. Peaster (18-8), 4. Brock (26-3), 5. Westwood (25-2), 6. Ponder (23-5), 7. East Chambers (24-1), 8. Edgewood (21-2), 9.Pollok Central (20-6), 10. Central Heights (21-7), 11. Bowie (18-6), 12. Nocona (21-4), 13. Wall (21-2), 14. Hitchcock (15-10), 15. Van Vleck (11-4), 16. Mt. Vernon (23-1), 17. Kountze (17-8), 18. Commerce (14-8), 19. Van Alstyne (18-9), 20. Holliday (19-4), 21. Teague (8-3), 22. Madison (6-16), 23. La Marque (12-11), 24. Newton (7-3), 25. London (15-11).