Memphis team edges Seminoles 76-74

OSCEOLA - Memphis-Hillcrest ventured across the Mississippi River Monday (Dec. 4) to face the Osceola senior boys at Seminole Arena.

After a one hour delay in the start time (the Vikings had some travel issues) the teams would finally get in what would prove to be an entertaining and competitive game. In the end, the visitors would hold off the Seminoles fourth quarter charge to claim a 76-74 win.

The teams would both struggle from the field in the first quarter as the Vikings got out to the early lead behind seven points from guard Jordan Allen. Hillcrest would lead by as many as seven points before a pair of MJ Washington baskets narrowed the Hillcrest lead to 14-11 after one period.

Memphis-Hillcrest senior guard Jordan Allen goes to the bucket while being tightly defended by a Seminole during Monday’s game between Hillcrest and Osceola Monday. The game was close throughout but the Vikings would prevail 76-74 as Allen led all scorers with 28 points. (Photo By Kadan Newson)

Osceola would begin to find the range in the second period as Richard High hit a couple of shots and Washington would score seven points. Jeremiah Jacobs hit a log three-pointer and Keenan Jackson hit a runner to put Osceola ahead. The Seminoles would lead by as many as five points before Hillcrest would go on a 5-0 run in the final minute to tie the game at 29 at the half. The Vikings Allen would score eight points in the period to keep his team within striking distance.

Hillcrest would open up a 57-51 lead after three quarters as Xavier Herron would go off for 11 points in the period. Herron’s teammate Mitchell added eight points. The Seminoles stayed close as Jacobs scored eight points in the period. High added a couple of buckets, while Washington scored six points in the frame.

Hillcrest would open the lead up to 10 points twice in the final quarter as they held Osceola without a point for nearly two minutes. But Osceola would come storming back to get within two points on two occasions over the final two minutes. But an untimely technical foul against the Seminoles and a traveling call, that wiped a High and-one off the board, helped keep the Seminoles at bay.

Allen would hit seven of 11 free throw attempts down the stretch to keep the Vikings in the lead. That would offset a 16 point quarter by High and a pair of Washington three balls as Hillcrest would take the two-point victory

Hillcrest (5-1) was led by Allen’s game-high 29 points. Herron had 15 points, while Jones had 12 points and Mitchell added 11 points.

Osceola (1-8) was led by High’s 26 points. Washington added 22 points. Jacobs had 11 points, Jackson scored six points, Tyler Bell added four points and Donovan Littleton had four points for the Seminoles.

Hillcrest won the battle at the free throw line. Hillcrest hit 16 of 31 attempts, while Osceola made only nine of 17 attempts.