The Cumberland County Jets overcame big Clarkrange scoring runs Tuesday night to best the Buffaloes 72-67. In a thrilling game that saw four different lead changes in the final three minutes, the Jets relied on their offensive playmakers to come away with the win.
“We got down eight or 10 points a couple different times. A week ago that probably fazes us and we lose our mind, but tonight we said ‘OK’ and we focused ourselves and we went out there and got back to doing what got us the lead,” said Cumberland County head coach Taylor Denney.
The opening quarter saw the Jets moving the ball well and get inside the paint, but several early foul calls slowed the game and put both teams at the free-throw line.
Clarkrange entered the bonus in the first three minutes of the quarter, while Cumberland County followed suit quickly after.
After a back-and-forth first period, Cumberland County held on to a narrow 16-14 lead.
The Buffaloes exploded offensively to open the second period, as they hit three consecutive 3-point shots en route to a 14-4 run over a four-minute span. Cumberland County struggled offensively during this stretch, taking several low-percentage shots.
However, when it looked like Clarkrange might take over the game, the Jets battled back. Cumberland County’s Andrew Dennis hit two big 3-pointers and Houston Torres added a transition basket to retake the lead.
Toward the end of the half emotions started to run high, but the Jets maintained their composure and ended the half on a 14-2 run to go into the locker room up 34-30.
The second half started with another big Clarkrange run as they converted several easy looks inside. Over the first 4:20 of play the Buffaloes went on a 13-6 run and forced a Jets timeout as they took the lead, 43-40.
Again, Cumberland County refused to let the game get out of hand. Torres got into a rhythm in the third, scoring 11 of his 31 points and giving the Jets a 55-49 advantage going into the fourth period.
Denney had a message for his team as they weathered those runs.
“Do what we’re supposed to do,” he said.
“A lot of times, [the guys] get kind of sped up [and] tired. They’re not calling out screens, they’re not sprinting to help, they’re not boxing out. [We just have to] resettle and refocus them, and then they go out there and do what they know they’re supposed to do.”
The Jets forced multiple turnovers to hold onto a four-point lead, 57-53, early in the period. The Buffaloes got into the bonus with four minutes left and made a three to tie the game, but again Dennis hit a high-stakes 3-pointer to go ahead. Another Jets 3-pointer gave the team a two-possession game with 37 seconds left.
After free throws for both teams, Clarkrange found themselves down four in the last 20 seconds. Another turnover ended its chances and Cumberland County iced the game at the free throw line to win 72-67.
Fouls played a big part in the game, with both teams going to the line a combined 25 times. Denney wants to see that improve.
“We’ve got to do a better job of not playing with our hands. They’re going to call the game consistently, we’ve got to be able to adjust to those things. We didn’t do a great job of adjusting all the time, so that’s something we’ve got to get better at as the year goes on,” said Denney.
Torres led the Jets with 31 points while Dennis chipped in 16 points, 15 of those coming from three. Jack Cordell led the Buffaloes with 29 points.
Cumberland County now sits at 1-3 on the season and will take on Pickett County Dec. 1. Tipoff is set for 7:30.