Robertson drops 26 in Athens Drive’s 64-60 win over Garner

By: Zachary Adams

1/4/19

GARNER, NC — Athens Drive (9-3) used a strong second quarter to take down Garner (4-6) on the road Friday night, 64-60.

The Trojans were fueled by the home crowd in the opening stanza. After falling behind by three early on, Garner exploded on a 12-2 run that saw them up 15-8 with 2:37 to play in the first quarter. That run was highlighted by back-to-back three pointers by senior Jaylen Andrews and junior Chris Nobles. The visiting Jaguars would not be denied in the early going. Athens cut the deficit to just three, 20-17, after the first quarter behind nine points from Northern Kentucky signee DJ Robertson.

The turning point of the contest came in the second quarter, where the Jaguars outscored the Trojans 26-8. Athens Drive began the frame on an 8-0 run, that led to a Garner timeout. The Athens run continued behind point guard DJ Robertson pumping out transition bucket after transition bucket for himself or fellow teammates, as well as two three point baskets from shooting guard Chase Graham. The Jaguars led by 15 at intermission, 43-28. 

Chris Nobles and pesky defense out of the halftime break kept Garner in this game. Nobles had six third quarter points and the Trojan defense held the Jags to just seven points in the third. In the latter half of the quarter, Lawrence “Mickey” Frost exited the game with a left ankle injury. Frost’s departure left a huge void on the defensive end and it allowed Garner to trim the deficit to just nine, at 50-41 after three.

The game of runs would continue for both sides. Athens opened the final quarter on a 10-4 run to go up 60-45 with 4:30 remaining. Garner junior Chris Nobles would then go on a personal 5-0 run to get the Garner Blue Crew and the rest of the home faithful back invested in the game. After a couple of defensive lapses and a ton of missed free throws by the Jaguars, the Trojans were only down three with 13 seconds to play. DJ Robertson would go one of two at the line to seal the messy victory for Athens.

DJ Robertson had a game-high 26 points to lead the Jaguars, while Chris Nobles poured in 21 points to lead the Trojans.

Both squads will hit the hardwood one again on Tuesday. The High School OT #9 ranked Athens Drive Jaguars will be back in-action at home against rival Green Hope. That will be their Tri-6 opener. Garner will return to SWAC play by hosting Fuquay-Varina inside Trojan Coliseum.