Jackets Win Fourth in a Row With 140-88 Victory

The Steel City Yellow Jackets continued their string of success last night as they defeated the West Virginia Warlocks by the score of 140-88. The win was the Yellow Jackets fourth in a row as they start to get hot towards the end of the season.

After picking up a win in Saturday night's game against the Salisbury Bulldogs, the Steel City Yellow Jackets were looking to win their fourth game in a row when they faced off against the West Virginia Warlocks at the Neighborhood Academy last night. They were able to keep the win streak rolling as they rolled past the Warlocks by the final score of 140-88.

This game featured some audities just like Saturday's game did. The Warlocks only had five players on their roster and with nobody to sub in and out they were stuck with those five for the entirety of the game. The Yellow Jackets would have to deal with a slow start in the beginning of the game as the Warlocks scored the games first seven points, but the Jackets would get back into this one And eventually take over the game.

This game was tight early on as the teams would go back and forth in the first quarter of play. Even though the Yellow Jackets missed a lot of shots early, they would find their shooting about half way through and it was back to the normal style of Yellow Jackets offense. Dre Anthony and Antonio Reddic each put up eight in the quarter to help give the Yellow Jackets a 30-22 lead after one quarter of play.

After a slow start, the Yellow Jackets would begin to pull away in this one as Juan Franklin paced the team with 11 points off the bench in route to scoring 37 in the quarter. After hanging with the Yellow Jackets early on, the Warlocks started to get tired and their offense faltered as they only scored 12 points in the second quarter giving the Yellow Jackets a 67-34 half time lead.

It would be Juan Franklin and Johnathan Logan pacing the Yellow Jackets at half time with 11 points each. They were followed by Antonio Reddic, 10 points, and Gil Cummings and BillyDee Williams who were each tied with eight a peice. For the Warlocks, it would be Adrian Summerfeild leading the charge with 14 points on the night. He was followed by Jevon Turner and William Harrison who each had 7 at the break.

The Yellow Jackets offense would continue to pour it on in the third quarter as they put up their second 40 spot of the year. This was due in large part to Gil Cumming's 15 point effort and four three point shots. Isaiah Prince would also add a pair of three point shots and the Yellow Jackets would find themselves ahead 107-61 heading into the last quarter of play. 

Even though the score was so lopsided, the message from head coaches Ace Pippens, for the Yellow Jackets, and Robert Duck, for the Warlocks, was the same, "Just keep playing." The fact that the Warlocks only had five players on their team would catch up to them as they were worn out and tired by the end of the game, but to their credit they did not quit until the final whistle.

For the Yellow Jackets it would be Gil Cummings leading the way with 22 points on the night. He would be followed by Johnathan Logan, 18 points, and Lawrence Baker, 15 points. For the Warlocks Jordan Thompson lead the way putting up 22 points on the night. He was followed by Adrian Summerfield, 20 points, and Tobias Dowdell, 18 points.

The win improved the Yellow Jackets mark to 11-7 on the season and gave them their fourth win in a row. They have played very well at home this season and they continued that streak increasing their record to 8-3 at the Neighborhood Academy. With only two home games remaining on the schedule, the time is now to come on out and support your Steel City Yellow Jackets.

Steel City Player of the Game: Gil Cummings

Thanks to a third quarter surge where he got four three pointers and scored 15 points, Gil Cummings was the leading scorer for the Yellow Jackets with 22 points and is the Steel City Player of the game. The veteran and team captain showed he still has it on the court in his third season with the Yellow Jackets and he continues to play well on the court whole helping to motivate his team day in and day out.

Up Next:

The Steel City Yellow Jackets play their second to last home game on the 2016/2017 regular season on Saturday February 11 when they take on the Richmond Elite at 8:30 p.m. at the Neighborhood Academy. Tickets will be ten dollars for adults and five dollars for students. As the Yellow Jackets make a late playoff push, be there to Catch the Buzz.