BJHS blasts Grissom to open season
Levi Randolph drives to the basket during the Patriots' 75-50 season-opening victory over Grissom. Randolph finished with a game-high 28 points.
Bob Jones’ bid to repeat as the Class 6A state champions started off on a high note Tuesday, as the Patriots opened a 26-point halftime lead at Grissom and cruised to the 75-50 victory.
“It’s a little different than last year,” said Bob Jones head coach Danny Petty. “This year, everyone wants to get us and we have to be ready and have that mentality.”
The Patriots had that mentality in the first half, shooting 10-of-17 from the three-point line to open a 24-6 lead in the first quarter and a 43-17 lead at the half.
Levi Randolph led the Patriots with 28 points, including 20 in the first half. He also finished with seven rebounds and four steals.
“Levi can do it all,” Petty said. “If he’s having a good game, that’s going to help us.”
Randolph, who signed last week with the University of Alabama, said it was good to get the commitment out of the way so he can focus on this season.
His future coach, Anthony Grant, was also on hand to see his performance.
“I know he cares about his players a lot,” Randolph said.
Following Randolph was Kyle Dennis with 22 points, including 15 in the first half.
“What a boost,” said Petty of Dennis’ performance. “He really shot the ball well.”
The Tigers, led by Clay Houk, outscored the Patriots 33-32 in the second half.
Houk finished with 19 points, while Alex Luna finished with 11 points.
The Patriots will travel to Hazel Green Oct. 19. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
GIRLS
Bob Jones 28, Grissom 27
Katie Colson nailed two free throws for the Bob Jones Lady Patriots with 22 seconds remaining Nov. 16 to hold off a Grissom comeback, 28-27.
Colson’s free throws extended the Patriots’ lead to 28-25, but a last-second bucket by Grissom’s Natalie Farmer cut the final to 1 point.
Farmer led all scorers with 10 points.
Despite taking a 19-8 lead into the half, the Patriots (4-0) were outscored 19-9 in the second half.
“That’s probably the worst performance since I’ve been at Bob Jones,” said Patriots’ head coach Tim Miller. “We weren’t challenged during the tournament last weekend, and tonight may have been what we needed. But you’ve got to hand it to Grissom. They played great, hustled and outplayed us.”
Offensively for Bob Jones, 6-foot-1 center Jasmine Jones led the way with eight points, followed by Colson with 7 and Lindsey Jennings with four.
