Bulldogs win on the road in Marked Tree

Bulldogs win on the road in Marked Tree

Earle boys get much-needed win against Indians

By Mark Randall

ne ws @ thee veningtimes .com Earle boys basketball head Coach Carl Miller told his team after close losses to White County and Bay not to worry because they were playing good defense.

He knew they would find their offense and get back to playing Bulldog style basketball.

The team got its confidence back after a 74-47 win Tuesday over Cross County, and got one back on the road against rival Marked Tree 60-47 on Thursday.

“I wanted this one,” Miller said. “I told them if they carry it over from that second half Tuesday against Cross County, then we will win. I saw Bulldog basketball tonight. We got a lead and we held on to it.”

Earle (14-9, 10-3) jumped out to a 17-13 lead in the first quarter, then outscored Marked Tree 19-19 in the second to take a 36-22 lead at the half.

The Bulldogs came out too aggressive to start the third, missing their shots and allowed the Indian to shave nine points from the lead get to within 41-32 before Miller called a time out.

Miller said he reminded the team that they were beating Marked Tree at home, but blew a lead to let the Indians steal a 69-66 win in Earle last week.

“I said, ‘remember last time? We gave away a lead,”’ Miller said. “I said, ‘Do you want that to happen again? We had them on the ropes. And when you have them on the ropes, you need to hang on. If everyone goes out there and does their job, we’re going to be fine.”’ The Bulldogs slowed the game down and although being outscore 9-13 in the third, pumped in 15 more points on offense and held Marked Tree to 12 in the final quarter.

Miller said he finally saw Bulldog basketball come back.

“We had a lead and we held on to it,” Miller said.

“It felt good because we needed it. Team morale is back up. Their confidence is back. I think we’re going to be fine moving forward.”

The Bulldogs also got another strong shooting performance from team leader Darius Cisero, who led Earle with 16 points.

“He’s back,” Miller said.

“He’s the guy when we started the season in the Rumble he had like 20 points against some good competition,” Miller said.

“I told him, ‘I need you back. I need that Cisero to show up.’ I told him that the team is going to play as good as you do. They will follow your lead.”

Jermayne Johnson pumped in 13 points for the Bulldogs.

“He came off the bench and was fighting a head cold,” Miller said. “He said he was going to play any way. And he came out and he played. He came off the bench and did his job and played well and was solid.”

Diviria Smith added 10 points.

Miller said he was pleaded with the effort and that the team played a complete came.

“I give them all an ‘A,’” Miller said. “They came out and played. I told them the defense has been there.

We just need to get something going on offense an have a complete game offense and defense. And we did that tonight. If we play like that, we’re going to be had to beat moving forward.”

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Feb. 9 at home against Lee.

The Earle Bulldogs scored a key conference win Friday night against the Marked Tree Indians.

Photo by Mark Randall