We've Gotta Stop Winning Like This! Another Come-From-Behind Win
On December 20, 2024, the greatest rivalry in all of Morgan County took the stage as the Coalfield Yellow Jackets came to Wartburg to play basketball. It was set for three games - a JV Boys game before the standard Varsity Girls and Boys games.
The JV Boys got another win to start the night off. They won by a wide margin of 42-20 behind impressive scoring efforts from Reid Quinney (15 points) and Mason Klement (11 points). According to Assistant Coach Bryson "Backstreet" Boles, "It was a solid win... We have some stuff to clean up - but I was proud of them." Great work JV!
The Varsity Girls were up next. The Yellow Jackets are very talented and efficient shooters, and they were more than the Lady Bulldogs could handle. The Yellow Jackets were swarming, and our ladies just didn't have an answer. It was a Coalfield win by a score of 65-38.
And finally, to wrap up the night, the Varsity Boys took the floor. The Bulldogs were looking to continue their winning ways after a nice recent stretch - but somebody forgot to tell Coalfield as they were lighting up the scoreboard in the first quarter - jumping out to a COMMANDING lead. At one point in the first quarter - their lead grew to as much as 17 points! The Bulldogs stayed the course and tried to fight back - but they were still down by 10 points at half time - and almost as many at the end of the third. It wasn't until the last 2 minutes of the game that the Bulldogs tied it up - and they ultimately grabbed the momentum and took home the win despite playing from behind the entire game. It was a great show of perseverance - and the Bulldogs improved to 7-4 on the season with this 64-60 win.
Let's get into it... Here we go:
The JV Boys got another win to start the night off. They won by a wide margin of 42-20 behind impressive scoring efforts from Reid Quinney (15 points) and Mason Klement (11 points). According to Assistant Coach Bryson "Backstreet" Boles, "It was a solid win... We have some stuff to clean up - but I was proud of them." Great work JV!
The Varsity Girls were up next. The Yellow Jackets are very talented and efficient shooters, and they were more than the Lady Bulldogs could handle. The Yellow Jackets were swarming, and our ladies just didn't have an answer. It was a Coalfield win by a score of 65-38.
And finally, to wrap up the night, the Varsity Boys took the floor. The Bulldogs were looking to continue their winning ways after a nice recent stretch - but somebody forgot to tell Coalfield as they were lighting up the scoreboard in the first quarter - jumping out to a COMMANDING lead. At one point in the first quarter - their lead grew to as much as 17 points! The Bulldogs stayed the course and tried to fight back - but they were still down by 10 points at half time - and almost as many at the end of the third. It wasn't until the last 2 minutes of the game that the Bulldogs tied it up - and they ultimately grabbed the momentum and took home the win despite playing from behind the entire game. It was a great show of perseverance - and the Bulldogs improved to 7-4 on the season with this 64-60 win.
Let's get into it... Here we go:
Cheerleaders Cheer With Wardrobe Changes
Going with a festive look, the cheerleaders from both Wartburg and Coalfield started out and cheered most of the night in Christmas sweaters. I can't help but wonder how uncomfortable that must've been as I'm sure they were warm - but the show must go on! And - during the half time show of the boys game, the cheerleaders that were able to participate in the Disney Cheer Camp performed a special routine in special Christmas-colored uniforms. They came prepared and worked hard all night (as usual). I've highlighted several cheerleaders in previous write-ups - who stands out to you? Who deserves the next cheerleader spotlight?
JV Boys With Another Solid Win
The JV Boys have a deep squad of players that are simmering in the crock pot - growing and adjusting to the speed of high school basketball. With the exceptions of Parker Rogers and Daniel Bunch, most of these boys won't really see the floor for Varsity this season. That doesn't keep them from digging deep and making the most of their opportunities. Standouts for tonight as previously mentioned:
1. "Rampage" Reid Quinney led the team with 15 points to include 2 three-pointers.
2. Mason Klement also chipped in for 11 points with 1 three pointer of his own.
3. Daniel "Mr. Freeze" Bunch continues to stretch his go-go Gadget arms out to make life hard on players in the post (see photo above).
4. "No Nonsense" Noah Ward was third on the team in scoring with 5 points - also knocking down a three pointer.
Great win for the JV! Let's Go!
1. "Rampage" Reid Quinney led the team with 15 points to include 2 three-pointers.
2. Mason Klement also chipped in for 11 points with 1 three pointer of his own.
3. Daniel "Mr. Freeze" Bunch continues to stretch his go-go Gadget arms out to make life hard on players in the post (see photo above).
4. "No Nonsense" Noah Ward was third on the team in scoring with 5 points - also knocking down a three pointer.
Great win for the JV! Let's Go!
Varsity Girls
The Girls game was a tough matchup. They drew a Coalfield girls team that is a well-oiled machine. Although they lost by a wide margin - they had some things to be encouraged by...
1. Myrah "All Good" Hood continues to be the most prolific scorer for the Lady Bulldogs. Hood had a good night from range with 3 three-pointers as part of her 13 points.
2. "Fiery" Brylie Basler was able to get some extra minutes in tonight's game. She produced 3 points on 3/4 free throw shooting and also contributed with a rebound and a steal.
3. The duo of Jordyn Pemberton and Bradlee Sexton continue to look like they have chemistry when on the court together. Pemberton knocked down a 3-pointer and had 4 rebounds - while Sexton had 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Freshman Spotlight:
- A new freshman made her presence known tonight in the waning minutes of the game. "Mustang" Shelby Kelly made the most of her time on the Varsity floor tonight. In the fourth quarter, on limited minutes, Kelly scored a 2-point basket, and got a steal and rebound. Great work!
1. Myrah "All Good" Hood continues to be the most prolific scorer for the Lady Bulldogs. Hood had a good night from range with 3 three-pointers as part of her 13 points.
2. "Fiery" Brylie Basler was able to get some extra minutes in tonight's game. She produced 3 points on 3/4 free throw shooting and also contributed with a rebound and a steal.
3. The duo of Jordyn Pemberton and Bradlee Sexton continue to look like they have chemistry when on the court together. Pemberton knocked down a 3-pointer and had 4 rebounds - while Sexton had 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Freshman Spotlight:
- A new freshman made her presence known tonight in the waning minutes of the game. "Mustang" Shelby Kelly made the most of her time on the Varsity floor tonight. In the fourth quarter, on limited minutes, Kelly scored a 2-point basket, and got a steal and rebound. Great work!
Varsity Boys
This season has been filled with way-too-close-for-comfort games! We have gone down to the wire with multiple teams, so I was hoping tonight would be a runaway victory. Not so says Coalfield! They were shooting the lights out in the first quarter - scoring 26 points - on pace for triple digits after one quarter. It's becoming too much of a habit for us to start off slow, get behind, and then spend all game trying to catch up. My heart can't take it! I told Athletic Director Kyle Ryans - if we're gonna continue having games like this - I need to make sure the AED on the wall is charged and ready. He assured me that it is checked daily and good to go!
Robinson's Knee Doesn't Hold Him Back
Ian "Fast and Furious" Robinson looked hobbled against Rockwood just a few nights ago, and he showed up and started tonight with a bulky knee brace. One might wonder if that would rob him of his best trait - athleticism - but it did not! He looked quick and fluid in his cuts - doing most of his damage with nice drives and pretty layups. Robinson's 9 points were vital - but 6 of his 9 came in the second half when we were charging back in this come-from-behind victory.
Jayden "Slush Puppie" Pemberton
You've heard my dad joke... Why does Landon Quinney wear long sleeves? Because he has ice in his veins! Well tonight, Jayden Pemberton joined the icy club as he played solid defense all night - but actually scored ALL SEVEN of his points in the 4th quarter when the game was on the line. If you're gonna get hot - get hot when the game is on the line! Jayden now gets the moniker of one of my favorite icy sweet treats - the Slush Puppie!
Swint Close to Double-Double
Lawson Swint has been all over the map with his versatility this season. He has proven that he can shoot from distance - but tonight he was really needed more down low doing the hard work in the post. Swint's 13 points were his second highest output of the season, and second on the team tonight. He now sits at 3rd on the team in scoring with 91 points on the season! Swint also chipped in with a team-high 7 rebounds while playing through some pain... and talk about clutch - he scored 8 of his 13 points in the very emotional 4th quarter!
Green Bean Shows Up
Johnny "Green Bean" Bingham was our best shooter tonight in the Varsity game - grabbing three more three-pointers to add to his impressive total for the season. His 15 points were the best for the Bulldogs, and that was his best output for the season! It came in a game where we needed points badly playing from behind. Bingham now has 99 points on the season - taking over the #1 spot for the Bulldogs. He is an offensive weapon - and the Bulldogs were thankful he was shooting well tonight! Bingham also added 4 rebounds and shot 2/2 from the line. All around - great game tonight!
The Bulldogs now sit at 3-0 since Landon Quinney shaved his head... I'm just saying - it's becoming a thing! But now we break from game action until after Christmas. It's a great time to heal up and enjoy some family time during Christmas. And if you need a reminder about how much fun it was to watch basketball tonight - just read the faces on the crowd as this game was won!