LITTLE ROCK — The Jacksonville Red Devils scored early and often in a 78-34 victory over the Sylvan Hills Bears.
Jacksonville (13-3, 6-0 5ACentral) had 14 different players score, led by Justin McCleary’s 16 points in less than 10 minutes of playing time.
“We knew we had these back-to-back games coming, so I’ve practiced my second and third string hard the last two days,” Jacksonville Coach Victor Joyner said. “I told them how much playing time they got tonight would be up to them. If they played well then they’d get to stay in.”
Jacksonville plays conference co-leader Little Rock McClellan today at 4:30 p.m.
Kanaan Jackson and Doug Matthews came off the bench and scored 11 points each. Jackson also led the Devils with seven rebounds on a night where Jacksonville held a 43-23 rebounding edge over Sylvan Hills (5-9, 2-5).
The Red Devils led 17-5 after the first quarter. Two early baskets by the Bears’ Cordy Winston helped cut the lead to 19-11 in the opening minutes of the second quarter.
Jacksonville closed out the first half on a 17-1 run to take a commanding 36-12 lead into halftime. A 15-0 run in the third quarter opened Jacksonville’s lead to 53-17.
Sports, Pages 26 on 01/26/2013