By: Zachary Adams
2/1/19
RALEIGH, NC — Athens Drive (15-5, 5-1) used a balanced scoring attack from four of their seniors to down Cary (7-12, 3-4), 68-55 on Friday night. With this win, the Jaguars completed their first regular season sweep of the Imps since the 2012-13 season.
After a slow start for both sides, Athens Drive senior Chase Graham would knock down back-to-back threes to give the Jaguars the early 6-0 advantage. Graham was not the only Jaguar senior who got in on the early offensive onslaught. CJ Mitchell would record two straight buckets, giving Athens Drive the 10-0 lead with 2:54 to play in the opening frame. After Cary called timeout, Bryan Quiller and Jett Fortuny both hit two point baskets to make it 10-4 Athens with just over a minute to go in the quarter. After one quarter of play, Athens Drive led 13-6. Chase Graham and CJ Mitchell totaled all 13 of Athens’ points, scoring 7 and 6 respectively.
Cary began the second quarter on a 6-0 run. After trailing by as many as 10 early on, the Imps were only down 13-12 with six minutes to go before halftime. A little bit later, Brandon Dixon would stop, pop through a bit of contact, and get the foul call. Dixon sunk the free throw, extending the Jaguar lead to 20-15 with 4:05 to play in the second. Athens Drive would go on another 10-0 run, this one to close the first half. This run was highlighted by two threes from Northern Kentucky signee DJ Robertson and consecutive fast-break baskets by Brandon Poggioli. The Jaguars went into the break leading the Imps, 30-19.
The home side would pick up right where they left off post-intermission. Junior Jonah Milchuck would spot up and drain a three to make it 33-19 Athens Drive. Jett Fortuny and Logan McNeil would keep the Imps treading water in the third quarter. Fortuny and McNeil combined for 13 of Cary’s 18 points in the third quarter. The senior duo would help the visitor’s cut their deficit down to 11, 40-29, with 4:18 to play in the third stanza. Cary would try to press Athens toward the end of the quarter, but the Jaguars were unphased. Athens Drive would hold onto the 50-37 lead going into the fourth.
Cary senior Logan McNeil began the final quarter with a three ball left of the key to make it 50-40 Athens. After Cary’s Jared Moore hit one of two from the line, Athens’ DJ Robertson would answer with a turnaround jumper from the elbow, propelling Athens to a 52-41 edge. A few possessions later, Jett Fortuny would attack the rack, make the basket, and get fouled. Fortuny made the and one free throw, making it a 52-44 ballgame with 5:39 remaining. With just over a minute to play in the game, Athens Drive led 61-51. Athens’ Blue Crew would begin to serenade Cary’s Gang Green with taunts, giving their rivals a unique exit as time winded down. The Jaguars would go on to outscore the Imps 7-4 in the final 1:09 to win by 13, 68-55.
CJ Mitchell paced Athens Drive with 15 points. Tevon Johnson and DJ Robertson each added 13 points. Chase Graham was the only other Jaguar in double figures with 11 points. Jett Fortuny led the way for Cary with 15 points. Logan McNeil and Bryan Quiller added 14 and 10 points respectively.
Both the Imps and Jaguars will hit the hardwood once again on Tuesday. Cary will travel to Durham to meet Riverside, while Athens Drive will host Panther Creek. The Catamounts have already knocked off the Jaguars twice this season.
Both the Imps and Jaguars will hit the hardwood once again on Tuesday. Cary will travel to Durham to meet Riverside, while Athens Drive will host Panther Creek. The Catamounts have already knocked off the Jaguars twice this season.
