No. 8-ranked Seminole outlasts No.4-ranked Mitchell County, moves up in region standings

CAMILLA — The No. 8-ranked Seminole County Indians used an intense man-to-man defense Saturday night and forced numerous Mitchell County (15-5, 9-4) turnovers and cold shooting to beat the No. 4-ranked Eagles 50-43 in Camilla.

Seminole County’s win moves the Indians into second place in the region standings and the Eagles fall to third. Calhoun County is in first place with no region losses this season.

Neither team shot the ball extremely well because of the intense, in-your-face defense. The game was close throughout but the Indians pushed out to a seven-point lead early in the third quarter with two quick baskets.

That caused Mitchell County Head Coach Antonio Hayes to call time and when play, resumed the Eagles put on their own full-court press. It rattled the Seminoles briefly, the Eagles closed the gap, and momentum seemed to change until Seminole County’s DJ Yarbough drilled a three-pointer from the corner to stop the Eagle rally.

That three-pointer pushed Yarbough over the 1,000-point career mark for his high school days.

Even with Yarborough’s three, the Eagles tied the game 35-35 late in the third before Seminole added some free throws to take a 38-35 lead into the final quarter. Seminole (13-5, 9-3)grabbed a 41-36 lead early in the fourth quarter and then both teams went dead cold. No one could hit a shot until just 2:22 remaining when Mitchell County’s Landon Quimbley swished a basket and moments later hit a long three to put the Eagles down by one — 42-41.

Unfortunately for the large hometown crowd. that was as close as it would get. Mitchell County was forced to foul to get possession of the ball and Seminole County made their free throws to keep the Indians in front.

Quimbley led the Eagles with 14 points and Jaquavian Williams scored 13.

Ethan Johnson led Seminole County with 12 points and Yarborough put In 10.

Mitchell County’s final home game of the season will be Tuesday night when Terrell County comes to the Eagles Nest in Camilla.

Joe WhitfieldJoeWhitfield[email protected]