Robertson and Frost combine for 37 on their birthday, as Athens Drive takes down Apex, 73-52

By: Zachary Adams

1/21/19

RALEIGH, NC — Both DJ Robertson and Mickey Frost led Athens Drive (12-5) past Apex (2-14), 73-52, on Monday night to snap a two game losing streak for the Jaguars.

Athens Drive didn’t start the game off on the right note. Apex senior Desmond Booze opened the scoring with an uncontested lay-up on the game’s opening possession. Birthday boy and Northern Kentucky commit DJ Robertson would connect with a three from the corner to later give Athens Drive the 3-2 lead. CJ Mitchell would then create space for himself to hit an elbow jumper, extending the Jaguar lead to 5-2 with 5:10 to play in the first quarter. Apex’s Rishikesh Nookala would then show off his three point touch. Nookola hit back-to-back threes to put the Cougars in front 8-5. Speaking of back-to-back, DJ Robertson would get two straight quick and easy lay-ups to give Athens the 9-8 lead with 3:35 remaining in the opening stanza. After Joel Hoffler drilled a three for the Cougars, Mickey Frost (the other birthday boy) hit a three to give the home side a 14-11 advantage. Frost would use his three ball as some first quarter momentum. The junior guard attacked the cup and scored twice more in the frame, helping give Athens Drive the 22-15 lead after one.

Athens Drive would start the second quarter red hot. The Jaguars would go on a 9-3 run the first 4:07 of the quarter. The run was capped off by a Brandon Poggioli deuce off an in-bounds play. Senior Tevon Johnson would then come off the bench for Athens and immediately make an impact. Johnson would drill a wide open three from the wing on his first offensive possession of the game, putting the Jaguars up 34-23 with 2:41 to play in the second quarter. After a Desmond Booze deuce for the Cougars, Tevon Johnson would step-in and hit another three. Johnson’s second triple made it 37-26 Athens Drive with 1:35 left before halftime. Tevon Johnson was not done stroking the three ball in the second quarter. Johnson would drain his third triple of the frame just before the halftime buzzer to give Athens Drive the 42-26 advantage going into the locker rooms.

After Niko Gnann and DJ Robertson traded baskets to begin the half, Mickey Frost stepped out and hit a deep three to put Athens Drive up 47-28 with 5:26 to play in the third. The Jaguar bench continued to make an impact on this game. Junior Brandon Spruill would score five straight points for Athens, including completing a hard earned three point play. After Spruill’s contribution, Athens Drive led 57-33. Logan Adams and Nick Carlisle both knocked down jumpers for Apex to close the third quarter. Athens Drive led by 22, 59-37, going into the fourth and final quarter.

Desmond Booze picked off an errant Jaguar pass and turned it into two points on the other end to start off the fourth. Booze’s deuce made it 59-39 Athens Drive with 6:36 remaining. A bit later, the Cougars went on a 7-0 run that was highlighted by a corner three from Booze. Mickey Frost would snap that run with a three of his own, making it 64-46 Athens Drive with 4:36 to go. On his 18th birthday, DJ Robertson capped his night off with a right handed flush to make it 68-46 Jaguars. The newest Athens varsity member, Myles Void, scored his first varsity points on Monday night. Void finished with three points. Despite being outscored in the fourth quarter, Athens Drive would knock off Apex, 73-52, to snap a two game losing streak.

DJ Robertson led Athens Drive and all scorers with 20 points on his birthday. Fellow birthday boy, Mickey Frost finished with 17 points for the Jags. Desmond Booze poured in 11 points to lead Apex.

Athens Drive will be back in-action this Friday night at home against Jordan. Apex will hit the road on Tuesday night against SWAC foe, South Garner.