Maurice Dixon
@WriturRece | mdixon27@gmail.com
ATLANTA – In this current era of basketball, the analytics suggest players shoot 3-pointers or finish at the rim while limiting mid-range jumpers.
Matthew Meadows (25 points), Mykel Tubbs (16) and Alex Hyatt (15) connected on these type of attempts to lift Holy Innocents Episcopal to a 74-64 home win over Fulton Leadership Academy on February 7 in the quarterfinals of the Region 5-A tournament.
Meadows’ performance was more balanced than his two teammates since the senior nailed a team-high four 3-pointers and scored many of his other baskets in the lane. All four of Tubbs’ field goals came in the paint and he shot 8-of-10 from the foul line. From late in the third quarter to early in the fourth, Tubbs scored nine straight points to help widen the margin.
Hyatt, who also finished with four steals, had a similar stretch after halftime but from the perimeter when he drained three shots from deep to give the Golden Bears the lead for good.
“We were just playing soft in the first half,” Holy Innocents coach Adrian Collins said. “My guys they’re shooters and they don’t like contact so they spent a lot of time just tossing up shots. But in the second half, they got a little more aggressive. Mykel Tubbs was able to get to the basket whenever he wanted. He’s an Air Force commit and football player so he is not afraid of the contact. We saw the change in momentum once he started driving to the basket and getting to the free-throw line.”
Until Holy Innocents jumped back in front, senior Yizar Rainwater II (23 points) and Nile Barclift (17) kept the Gryphons close and also helped produce a lead as large as nine in the first half.
“I’ve known Rainwater since he was in the fifth grade,” Collins said. “He has always been a heat check guy. I love Fulton Leadership and what they stand for. They are a great institution and modeled after my Alma mater Morehouse College. Big ups to those guys and good luck as they start their rebuilding process.”
Chad McPherson collected nine points and five assists for the Golden Bears, who will face Greenforest Christian in the semifinals.