December Issue:           

Bolivar Central @ Hillcrest

       Two top teams in Division AA and a major reality that they will meet in postseason action with the Tigers traveling to Memphis to play the Vikings of Hillcrest on their home court was a very interesting matchup. Bolivar Central with three state championships under their belt led by Coach Rusidoff who has been at eh school for 16 years and made the final four of the TSSAA State 7 out of the last 10 years. Hillcrest starts off strong on some good outside shooting from Texes Southern signee Kerrell Davis and also mixing it up with strong drives to the goal to put Hillcrest up 18-12 after the first quarter. Bolivar Central stayed on the 5 point mark for over 4:28 and finally scored at the 2:38 left in the quarter. Hillcrest starts off the second quarter on a 4-0 to extend their lead 24-12 at the 6:41 mark of the second quarter. Bolivar Central went on a run of their selves with a 9-2 surge to cut the lead down to 3 at 26-23 with 3:27 left in the first half. With 2:01 left in the half junior Deandre Mckinney nails a long three to tie the game at 31 all which turns into 11 lead changes and 5 ties from this point after only 1 tie and 4 lead changes in the first half. Both ball clubs go into the break knotted all up at 32 all. Bolivar Central is an very aggressive team that plays nearly the entire roster led in rebounds with their relentless battling on the boards 21-11 in the first half which in return ignited their comeback at the end of the first half. At the same time the Tigers committed 10 turnovers to Hillcrest 4 for the first half. Hillcrest led in the assists department with 8 to Bolivar Central 4. Hillcrest was high flying as they recorded 5 blocks for the first half compared 2 for the Tigers. 

     No difference to start off the second half with both ball clubs going back and forth on mini runs from both sides. The third quarter ended with the Vikings being up 52-51 with both ball clubs fighting to gain solid control of the game and take control of the drivers seat but neither team could separate from the other. Bolivar Central had their largest lead of the game with 6:21 left in the contest at 54-49 before Hillcrest regains the lead with 5:05 left 58-56. The score goes to 61 all then Bolivar Central takes the lead 62-61 with 11.1 seconds remaining. One problem is Hillcrest has only 4 team fouls and Bolivar Central keeps fouling to kill the time and from Davis getting the ball. Hillcrest calls timeout with 2.7 seconds left to make the play of the year so far in this early basketball season. Coach Rose calls a come around from the pick from the right side to the left for a simple layup as the Tigers were solely fixed on Davis not getting the ball by double and triple teaming the young man. Remember their are four other players on the squad but in times like this players don't always make the right adjustments which in return can cost the game.

     Kerrell Davis leads all scorers with 23 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals in another stellar performance. Senior Darius McCoughy contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks in a very strong showing and this kid has the grades to go along with his play.

    Bolivar Central was led in scoring by sophomore Des Robertson at 13 points, and 6 rebounds. Senior O'Neal Woods at 12 points and junior Deandre McKinney added 11 points and 6 rebounds in the cause.     

Key Points of The Game: Hillcrest  great play calling in the crucial seconds left in  the contest which will pay off down the stretch with major experience coming form this situation.

Team	Rebounds	Turnovers	Assists	Steals	Blocks
Bolivar Central	29	14	9	4	1
Hillcrest	22	9	12	6	8

By Staff Writer Harold Rivera