Mount Tabor tough on Ragsdale last night from Mike Ellis at the Jamestown News

Courtesy of Mike Ellis at the Jamestown News and at www.womacknewspapers.com….

Ragsdale 54
Mount Tabor 89

Ragsdale (4-5)	12	13	18	11	-	54		
Mount Tabor (8-0)	35	19	19	16	-	89

This game was over early as the Mount Tabor Spartans jumped out to a 35 – 12 first quarter lead to pretty much ensure the outcome after the opening eight minutes. Using their size, speed and athleticism, the Spartans pressed full court, trapped the ball all over the court, forced turnovers and converted on the other end as Ragsdale could not find a way to counter to pressure and the strength on the boards. To make it a complete rout, when they weren’t pounding the boards and making lay-ups, the Spartans also shot the ball well from the outside, hitting 9 three pointers.

After falling behind 4 – 0 in the first minute of the game, Ragsdale took their only lead of the night on a James Stepp three pointer to make the score 7 – 6. Mount Tabor then went on a 14 – 2 run and closed out the quarter on another run of 16 – 0 to open up 35 – 12 first quarter lead.

Mount Tabor starts five seniors who are all returners from last year’s 19 – 10 team that went to the third round of the State Tournament. They also have four players off the bench that were on last year’s team. Their starters are two guards are both 6’ 3” and their wings are 6’4 and 6’5 while center Tyquan Biting comes in at 6’ 7”. They will be a force in the playoffs this year with their size and experience as well as their basketball skills.

Deion Robinson led the Spartans in scoring with 20 points, while Lepreece Lynch with 19, Matthew Madigan with 12, Tyquan Biting with 12 and Nate Long with 11 were also in double figures. Lynch got things rolling for Mount Tabor with three first quarter treys and 11 opening eight minute points.

For Ragsdale, point guard James Stepp was the leading scorer with 14 points. Dylan Willis, who at 6’ 4” did an admirable job of battling on the boards, scored 10 points. Joe Bryant also had 10 points for the Tigers.