Bobcats go 1-2 at Brunswick Holiday Classic
For the third season in a row the Bobcats participated in the Brunswick CC Holiday Classic in Bolivia, NC. The three day classic consisted of six teams with all but the Bobcats and Shoot 4 Greatness Academy being NJCAA D1 teams. Based upon prior experiencs, the coaching staff knew the competition would be high and the 14th ranked Bobcats would need to be on their "A" game to have a successful showing.
In their first matchup they faced off against Caldwell Tech. The two teams have met three times previously with the Bobcats going 1-2 in those matchups. The Bobcats got off to a hot start in the game and led 17-10 with 11:30 remaining in the half. A 17-0 run by the Cobras put them out in front 27-17 and they maintained that lead going into the half. The Bobcats finished the half only going 1-15 from behind the arc and trailed the Cobras 32-36. Coming out of halftime the Bobcats got off to another great start and took a 53-46 lead over Caldwell. They were able to maintain the lead over the Cobras for the majority of the second half. Caldwell took a two point lead with less than a minute left in the contest. With under 20 seconds remaining the Bobcats still found themselves trailing by two, they hit a s pointer to give them a one point lead but it was called off due to an illegal screen. Caldwell took over possession and hit two free throws to solidify the win at 81-85.
Jordan Forbes led the Bobcats in scoring with 18 points and also finished with 14 rebounds. Gerrard Simpkins scored 16 points, had six steals, five rebounds, and four assists. Caleb Miles and Jaja Davis both finished the game with 10 points a piece.
Looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking loss the day before, the Bobcats took on the Cape Fear Community College Sea Devils. The Bobats came into the game 0-1 against the Sea Devils, having fallen to them last year in the Brunswick CC Holiday Classic. The Bobcats started off strong taking an early lead on the Sea Devils. Shooting woes again troubled to Bobcats in the first half as they went 2-12 from behind the arc and 7-16 from the free throw line. They trailed the Sea Devils 29-43 at the half.
As they did yesterday, the Bobcats cut the lead down to start the second half. This time, unfortunately, the Sea Devils made a run of their own after the Bobcats run and the lead was stretched out to 15. Cape Fear was able to maintain that lead over the Bobcats for the remainder of the contest secure a 65-87 victory. Shooting woes and turnovers hurt the Bobcats in this matchup as they finished 3-26 from the 3-point line, 16-30 from teh free throw line, and having 22 turnovers.
Gerrard Simpkins finished the game as the Bobcats leading scorer with 13 points to go along with seven rebounds. Jordan Forbes finishd the game with 12 points and nine rebounds. Jaja Davis had 11 points and eight rebounds for the Bobcats.
In the final matchup of the Classic, the Bobcats took on the host Brunswick Community College. The Bobats have had success against the Dolphins in the past going a perfect 3-0 against them when matched up.
The opening minutes of the game went back and forth between the two teams. The Bobcats fell behind and trailed 10-20. The Bobcats fought back into the game and took a 36-35 lead into halftime. After two poor performances from the 3-point line, the Bobcats shot 40 percent in the first half.
Leading for the first time all weekend at the half, the Bobcats carried that momentum into the second half. Jordan Forbes took control of the game and scored 23 points alone in the second half. The Bobcats scored 64 points in the second half and defeated the Dolphins 100-89 securing their only victory of the weekend.
Jordan Forbes led all scorers with 25 ponts and also had 10 rebounds. Jaja Davis finished the game with 15 points and eight rebounds. Daryus Evans came off the bench and contributed with 12 points. Caleb Miles and Corey Joyner both finished with 11 ponts a piece and Gerrard Simpkins scored 10 points for the Bobcats who are now 8-3 on the season.