MINT HILL, NC – The Independence basketball team returned from the holidays prepared to take on a conference for the Providence Panthers. Right from the tipoff, the Patriots appeared to control the tempo and flow of this contest.
The home team jumped out to a 15-7 first-period advantage. This was accomplished primarily on the 3-point shooting of Jordan Appling who swished two during the opening minutes to take a 6-0 lead, followed up later with the score 8-5 in favor of the Patriots guard Kameron Jasper connected on another 3-pointer from the baseline.
In the second period, Indy continued to play solid defense and held their opponent to only 9 points while scoring 8 points of their own all by senior Bryce Brooks who landed a smooth jump shot and two 3-pointers for the Patriots. So by the intermission Indy held a 23-16 advantage over the Panthers.
During the third period, the Indy offense began to wake up and the scoring attack was much more well-balanced. Guards Dyshawn Taylor and Bryce Brooks led the charge each scoring 5 points, while Jared Taylor, Amory Brown, Appling, and Jasper all contributed two points apiece. The defense played well enough and the entrance of two big players Jared Taylor and Tosh Alberga clearly made the difference under the basket as they took control under the boards scoring inside at the rim along with 2 blocked shots. Indy outscored their opponent 18-13 during this run.
The final period also belonged to Indy even though they were outscored 20-16. The Panthers tried to mount a comeback, but never seriously threaten to overtake the lead from the Patriots. The game’s final two points scored by Providence was an uncontested layup at the buzzer by guard Chase Detenber. Meanwhile, Jared Taylor in particular added 7 points, 2 steals, and 3 rebounds in the period.
Bryce Brooks led the scoring for the Patriots with 15 points, followed by Dyshawn Taylor 12, Jared Taylor 9, Appling 8, Alberga 6, and Jasper 5. The Panther’s top scorers were Bryce Taylor with 18, Detenber 12, Jamal Van Rensalier 9, all 3-point shots. The Patriots are now 7-5 on the season.
Mallard Creek Dominates Indy 46-31
In an unusual Wednesday night contest at “The Pit” Indy came out flat and played at the same pace throughout the entire evening. Actually, both teams looked sluggish in a noneventful basketball game.
The shooting from the floor was astonishingly lacking luster. Maybe both teams having played on Tuesday night were tired or worn out returning from the holidays. The Mavericks had a tightly contested win over East Mecklenberg 78-76, and the Patriots played Providence on Tuesday night.
The Mavericks led throughout the entire contest from the tipoff to the final buzzer. They led 11-7, 24-13, and 33-19 after three periods of competition. Both teams played well defensively, but the shooting from the floor was surprisingly poor. Each team had open shots and plenty of opportunities, however, getting the basketball inside and into the net was a challenge. Obviously, the Mavericks made more of their shooting opportunities.
The Patriot’s top scorer was Amory Brown with 7 points, Bryce Brooks 5, and Jared Taylor 5. Meanwhile, Kaden Ross had a solid game scoring 13 points, freshman Jaylan Conner swished 4 of 5 three-pointers 12, and Bryson Davis 11 for the Panthers.
The Patriots are now 7-6 on the season with plenty of games to be played. They will take on East Mecklenberg on the road this Friday night and try to put an important conference game in the win column.
