Dukes Dominate Cavaliers

Sometimes you need something positive to happen to get things going in the right direction.  Apparently that was the case for the Dublin Dukes on Wednesday evening, as they used the momentum of their big win over Pulaski last week to defeat Carroll County by a final score of 44-25.

Jake Callahan goes up for two of his
nine points Thursday night.

"I wish we could start the season over today" said Dukes Head Coach Richard Lewis.  "We were close so many times this season, but couldn't get where we wanted to be.  Now, these young men seem to be starting to get it.  We came out strong tonight and never looked back.  We finally have some confidence and look like the team I thought we could be at the start of the season."

The Dukes came out shooting in the first quarter, but the shots didn't seem to want to fall.  Fortunately for Dublin, their defense did an excellent job of keeping the ball out of the Cavaliers hands, allowing them to take enough shots to overcome those missed shots.  The first quarter ended with Dublin comfortably ahead 13-2, but the Cavaliers finally found a way to break through Dublin's pressure defense in the second quarter.  The Dukes continued to have trouble getting their shots to fall, and Coach Lewis also took the opportunity to get some fresh players into the game while they had the lead.  The half ended with Dublin still in the lead, but the margin had been cut to 19-10.

The starters came back on the floor for the third quarter, and it greatly resembled the first quarter as the Dukes built the lead back up with pressure on both sides of the court.  Defensively the Dukes didn't allow Carroll County much more than a quick glance at the basket through out the third, allowing only three points.  The third quarter ended with the Dukes again up big, 36-13.  Coach Lewis began to clear the bench, and while the Dukes did allow twelve fourth quarter points by the Cavs, they also continued to put the ball up themselves and added a final eight to put the final score at 44-25.

Jake Callahan lead the Dukes in scoring in the game with nine points.  Darian Brown continued to add to his season total with seven points, while Elliot Brewster and Jesse "Air" Draper added six points each.  Levi Clark had a strong night under the basket rebounding, and added four points along with Isaac Poe.  Malik Eaves also added four points, but he can also claim eight assists, seven steals, and five rebounds to those points.  Marcus Cox and Ray Lewis rounded out the Dukes scoring with two points each.

The Dukes will finish out their season this Friday as they host the Auburn Eagles.  Tip off is set for 4:30 pm.