Tara snipers too much for Woodlawn | University sports

The Tara High boys’ basketball team had only played two games before hosting Woodlawn on Tuesday, but with a convincing 72-58 win it put any questions to rest about its readiness to play.

Tara (2-1) prevailed in the second half with a sharp-shooting offense that made 10 3-pointers. Woodlawn (4-1) got within 10 points midway through the third quarter but never threatened again.

“We preached to the team to just stick together,” Tara coach Morris Wright said. “We put so much effort into training, when we get on the field it should show. We have to trust each other and play together, which is what we did tonight.”

The defining moment came late in the second quarter after Woodlawn scored nine straight points to take a 33-31 lead. The Trojans responded by forcing three turnovers in the final minute and scoring the final seven points of the half.

In the third quarter, Jayden Dixon hit three 3-pointers as Tara outscored Woodlawn 23-6 in the quarter. The 61-39 lead was too big for Woodlawn in the fourth quarter.

“We just had to keep pushing,” said Dixon, who scored a team-high 19 points. “The coach told us, ‘Don’t lie down,’ so we had to keep going.”

Roy Jackson also scored in double figures for Tara, who made four three-pointers and finished with 14 points. Jeff Allen (15 points), David Dixon (11 points) and Brandon Walker (10 points) also contributed significantly to the win.

Woodlawn was led by forward Kelinee Stone, who worked inside and out to lead all scorers with 28 points. He scored 10 points off offensive rebounds and also made three 3-pointers as the Panthers struggled to get back into the game.

Ahmad Price was the only other Panther in double figures with 10 points.

In the first quarter, Stone had a tip-in and three-point play as Woodlawn took a 5-0 lead. Tara fought back as Jackson made three 3-pointers. There were three ties before the Trojans finished with a 9-1 run to take a 23-15 lead.

Tara scored the first two points of the second quarter to take a 10-point lead, but Woodawn battled back. Triston Brown’s 3-pointer started the 9-point run that gave the Panthers a 33-31 lead with a minute left in the quarter.

Taras Jamorian Miles had two steals in the final minute and fed Allen in the lane for a buzzer-beating runner.

Although he was happy with his team’s play, Wright said his team still has a lot of work to do.

“We don’t think we’re playing that well right now,” he said. “The ball is falling because we make a lot of throws in training and put in a lot of work. This is the result of a lot of hard work.”