The 2019-20 basketball season came to an abrupt halt for the Gentry High Rams Tuesday night on their own court.
Suffering a hard-to-swallow 60-59 round one State 4A playoff loss to New Albany High School, the Rams saw their season end with a stellar 24-7 record.
In their contest with the visiting Bulldogs, the Rams ran into a very good basketball team bent on regaining the high regard afforded them prior to postseason play.
Despite being ranked as the No. 2 team among all 4A teams in the state in the season’s final regular season poll, the New Albany squad suffered an upset loss in their Region 1-4A Tournament.
That unexpected loss to Corinth High School left the Bulldogs emerging as their district’s No. 3 seed; setting up Tuesday night’s exciting clash with the Gentry High Rams.
In this game, the Rams trailed after every quarter before inevitably entering the final quarter of the game facing a 46-36 deficit.
At this point, the game then became a fiercely fought fourth quarter affair in which the Rams outscored the Bulldogs by a 23-14 margin.
Ultimately, however, it was a New Albany three-pointer with 50 seconds remaining to play which gave the visitors a final lead.
Plaguing the Rams in this game was a cold shooting night at the free throw line, where they connected on only nine of 21 attempts.
Pacing the Gentry High efforts in this game with a double double performance was Jesse Hull. The senior completed the game with a dozen points and 10 rebounds.
Leading the Rams’ scoring efforts was another pair of seniors. Ladarius Johnson posted 16 points on the scoreboard while David Windfield was close behind with a 15 point night of play.
With their victory, the now 22-7 New Albany High Bulldogs will move on to this Friday’s second round action against Pontotoc High School.
Wearing their Gentry High basketball uniforms for the final time Tuesday night were seven seniors.
Included in this group was Clint Ferguson, Jesse Hull, Ladarius Johnson, Daryl McCray, Joshujuan Townsend, Demetri Willis, and David Windfield.
