a Page 8 ruurspay, JANUARY 31, 2008 LEWY COUNTY SPORTS LEVY COUNTY JOURNAL Red Devils Win After Cold Shooting and Great Comeback By STEVE JARBOE Sports Epitor The Williston Red Devils varsity basketball team faced the Dixie County Bears Thursday evening in Cross City. This was the last regular season district game for the Red Devils. The Red Devils team was there, but the Red Devils’ fans were extremely scarce. What a disappointment for the team and a lack of team support. In fact, I was the only reporter from Levy County at the game. ; There was just a small handful of fans from Williston, mostly parents and relatives of the players, hardly any students and no Williston cheerleaders to support the Red Devils. Maybe the fact that the Red Devils had already locked up a first-round bye for the district play-offs had something to do with the extremely small crowd of Red Devil supporters. Well, you missed one of the best comeback games played this season by any team in the area. In a district that has four teams with the talent to go all the way, the Red Devils proved why they are one of these four teams. Both teams came out shooting cold and both teams were playing tough on defense. Neither team could pull ahead by more than three points in the entire first half of a low-scoring game. The teams were tied at 17-17 as the first half came to an end in this cold shooting defensive game. As the teams took the floor to start the third quarter, the Red Devils’ offense came alive in the first three minutes of the quarter to take a 29-21 lead. This is when the Bears called a timeout and the lid seemed to go on the basket for the Red Devils. The Bears picked up their play and ran off 14 unanswered points in the final five minutes of the third quarter. The Bears took a 35-29 lead into the fourth quarter. The Red Devils put on a 9-3 run of their own and managed to tie the game at 38-38 with three minutes remaining in the game. The Red Devils regained the lead 40-38 on a Deonte with a basket by Rodney Scott. remaining. lead. to within four points. dribbled out the last five seconds of the game. with great play from both teams. 8 points, and Kelcey Coleman added 7 points. Tevin Henderson added 8 points. Journal photo by Steve Jarboe. Oops! No. 13 of the Bears stands on the line to inbound the ball as the officials are out of position to make the call. end of the first quarter. Indians Show Good Form, But Lose to Notting By DAVID’LEACH FOR THE JOURNAL The Chiefland Indians varsity basketball team had a new attitude. They were all business but just could not overcome a strong Newberry team. They were one point behind at the half. Turnovers hurt them in a low-scoring third period. They rallied and rallied but just could not get the lead. From the warm-up, the Indians seemed to be all work. The pre-game warm-up was missing the customary banter. Eyes were focused on the game at hand. There was a sense of purpose. ~ Sure enough, the Indians came out strong. Cantrell Richardson and Eugene Carter combined to give them an t-point lead after the first period. Then the Panthers started to erode their lead. Xavier Woods led the Panthers with 14 points but his domination in the transition game was more.important. He seemed to always be in the right place at the right time. When he was not exactly in the right place, his leaping ability and body control i in the air won a lot of challenges. The Panthers had three other players in double figures: Antwon Ivey had 11 points, Ryan Brown had 10 points and Antonio Brown had 10 points. Cantrell Richardson led all scorers for the Chiefland Indians. He played an outstanding game with 25 points. He sank two three-pointers in a row to keep the Indians close at the end of the first half. He was everywhere on defense and offense. He spurred his team on at every opportunity. He had the best success of any Indian against Xavier Woods in the middle. Indians. Journal photo By David Leach. Stephen Davis shows perfect form at the foul line. Main Hardware located at 517 Hwy. 40 West, Inglis (3/4 mile west of US 19) Gh cot 46 Hwy. 19 North ceo (In Food Ranch Plaza) No Hardware, just Electric & Gas Fireplaces - Gifts Better BBQ Grills - Canning Supplies Office Supplies - Cards - Lodge Cookware Journal photo by Steve Jarboe. Red Devils Head Coach Dave Vespignani gives his team instructions during the last two minutes of the game. Welch basket before the Bears came right back to answer It was Welch again with a driving, spinning lay-up to give the Red Devils a 42-40 lead with just under two minutes Isaac Floyd then gave the Red Devils a little cushion with ‘a tap in with 1:03 left in the game to make the score 44-40. The Red Devils intercepted a pass and CJ James was fouled with 30 seconds remaining in the game. James sank two free throws to Biv the Red Devils a 46-40 After a timeout, the Bears went right down to score to pull The Red Devils took the ball out of bounds and Welch This was what I call an old-fashioned barn-burner game, CJ James led the Red Devils in a balanced scoring attack with 12 points. Isaac Floyd had 10 points, Deonte Welch had Rodney Scott led the Bears in scoring with - points and Junior Varsity Red Devils Coast to Win In the junior varsity game played earlier, the Williston Red Devils jumped out to a 16-0 lead before the Dixie County, junior varsity got on the board, and took a 22-4 lead at the The Red Devils began to play all their players as they -0:). coasted. through the rest of the game to take an impressive Journal photo by David Leach. Tommy Sheffield goes for the tip-off for the Chiefland O's $0 Sweet 70-38 win. Big Jordan White led the Red Devils’ junior varsity with 15 points, while Norman Hussey and Raheim Minor added 8 points each. John Lubin led the Bears junior varsity with 12 points. Journal photo by Steve Jarboe. JV No.44 Big Jordan White spins for two of his 15 points against the Bears. Journal photo by Steve Jarboe. JV No. 34 Norman Hussey waits for the ball and puts itup | and in for two. YWbo Wel by ja "U MOY aa bed : liye Uveaiishe, Gi Jb Journal photo by David Leach. Eugene Carter fakes a shot, then passes the ball. Now Open! Banana Splits ° Cakes Ice Cream Sundaes Muffins Hot Dogs Pies Bread Bowl Soup Gourmet Coffee Candy 40 South Main Street, Suite B Next to Police Station - (352) 528-6100 Call ahead for pick-up service! TuTh 7a-7p, Fri 7-8p, Sat 11a-8p, Sun 12-5p, Closed Mon.