Dougherty Trojans take close win over Mary Persons

LEESBURG — The Dougherty Trojans didn’t bring the same intensity they displayed in Friday’s game against Lee County, but they still managed to grind out a 49-45 victory over Mary Persons of Forsyth on Saturday afternoon in the Round Ball Classic at Lee County High School. The win improved Dougherty’s season record to 8-6.

Senior Juwuan Jinks sealed the victory with two clutch free throws in the final five seconds.

The Trojans held the lead at halftime, but Mary Persons rallied in the third quarter to briefly take control while Dougherty had only one starter, Jaquavus Hallman, on the court. With the game tied 31-31 late in the third quarter, Marcus Heath hit a jumper, and Hallman followed up with a steal and a slam dunk, pushing Dougherty ahead 35-31 entering the fourth quarter.

While Head Coach Bakari Bryant was not pleased with his team’s overall effort on Saturday, he found value in the tough tournament competition.

“This tournament prepares you for a state playoff atmosphere, and that’s what we want,” Bryant said. “Last year we were 0-3 in the tournament and learned from it, then made a run to the final four. It exposes you to different types of play so you can see what you need to work on.

“But tired is an excuse for losers, and that’s how we played today,” he continued. “Champions don’t get tired, and if we want to be champions, we need to play with high intensity every game from here on out.”

Hallman led the Trojans with 12 points, while David Burgess added eight. Jinks, who earned All-Tournament Team honors, contributed key moments throughout the game.

The Trojans will begin region play Friday night when they host crosstown rival Monroe on Albany’s East Side.