Terrell County, Calhoun County gear up for region tournament

DAWSON — While it was Senior Night at Terrell County on Friday, it was the visiting Calhoun County boys team that got the extra push from its upperclassmen en route to a 69-53 win.

The two teams were neck and neck early on until a Calhoun County run sparked by Rashun Williams’ one-handed jam with 2:20 remaining in the second quarter. Jahmad Wiley followed that play up with a layup and free throw, and the Cougars went into the halftime break with a 30-20 lead.

Calhoun County head coach Marcus Shaw said his team stopped going through the motions during that stretch.

“We felt we weren’t playing with the energy we needed to be playing with,” he said. “We took a lot of possessions off in that first half. We just tried to dial in and focus more and focus on getting stops. The effort got a little better in that second quarter, and we were able to get the stops we needed.”

That energy carried into the second half when Williams threw down another dunk, this time a baseline, two-handed jam that was so hard he refs had to pause the action to wait for the basket to stop shaking so Williams could shoot the ensuing free throw after absorbing the contact.

During the third quarter Kadarius Holmes got hot in a hurry, scoring all of his game-high 14 of his points during that stretch, including four 3-pointers.

Terrell County head coach John Davis said facing the defending region champion is always a tall order. He said his team showed heart and gave energy, but lost composure late led to too many turnovers.

“Turnovers allowed them to get going, and that’s what they thrive on,” he said. “We turned the ball over a little too much and allowed them to get going, then (Holmes) got going. We have to control the ball.”

Late in the game, Terrell County’s Keevon Barnes went up to block a shot, fell over Calhoun County’s Jahmad Wiley and landed on his head. Barnes was eventually helped off the court.

Williams finished with 12 points for Calhoun County, followed by Jahmad Wiley with 11 and Tykevious Curry with 10.

Jalen Allen led the way for the Greenwave with 11 points.

Terrell County (girls) 61, Calhoun County 38

The Greenwave were able to rely on their seniors en route to a big win.

Ticobia Whitting was a blur for most of the night as she flew around on defense and recorded around 10 steals to go with her 16 points. Jamiyah McDaniel led all scorers with 26 points.

Calhoun County was led by Kanashus Enocher, who finished with 12 points.