The Paris News

Guards Bryce Cartwright and Generra Varmall set an early tempo that Paris Junior College rode for a 106-60 rout Thursday night over the Oklahoma Baptist junior varsity at the Hunt Center.

The Dragons improved to 2-0 in the young basketball season, with three holdovers from last year’s squad – forwards Desmond King and Demarcus Wilson and center Latay Darden.

Next action for PJC is Saturday. Murray (Okla.) State is the opponent during Homecoming festivities, with the women’s game scheduled for 4 p.m. and the men’s game for 6 p.m.

King led all scorers with 18 points, and Cartwright and Wilson added 14 points apiece. Tanner Streater scored 16 points and Hayden Blessing 10 for the OBU JV.

The Dragons were racing up and down the court from the start, converting turnovers into fast-break scores. PJC hit the century mark with 4:32 to play when King scored after rebounding a missed shot.

PJC outscored the visitors 62-29 in the second half. The Dragons went on a 35-6 run over an eight-minute stretch of the second half that blew the game open.

The 6-8 Darden scored only five points – on two thunderous dunks and a free throw – but first-year PJC coach Tom Schuberth wasn’t concerned.

“He didn’t dominate like he usually does, but it turned out to be a game where we didn’t go inside that much because we were getting some easy looks,” Schuberth said.

Turnovers led to numerous fast-break opportunities for the Dragons.

“I’m hoping that continues throughout the rest of the season. We’re not a team right now that’s scoring in our half court that well, although when we’re patient we’re usually getting good shots. But hopefully we’ll continue to create some turnovers that lead to easy baskets,” he said.

The Dragons shot well from outside. Six different players had 3-point baskets, with Wilson and Terrence Bowman hitting two apiece, as Schuberth shuffled 12 players in and out.

“We’re a balanced ball club, and I think we’re going to be one of those clubs where any one guy can beat you on a given night,” Schuberth said.

Schuberth lists 6-2 sophomore guard Tonye Smith and 5-10 freshman guard Jeremy Holmes as starters along with King, Darden and Wilson.

But Schuberth started his second unit Thursday night. The 6-1 Cartwright and 5-11 Varmall were on the floor along with 6-5 sophomore Derrick Echols, 6-2 sophomore Calvin Brown and 6-6 sophomore Justynn Hammond.

They surprised by opening up an 11-0 lead in the first 2:10 of play.

Echols got open underneath the basket for a 2-0 lead. Varmall then forced back-to-back turnovers that resulted in a 3-pointer and a driving lay-up by Cartwright for a 7-0 lead just 80 seconds into the game.

Brown added an outside jumper, and Hammond punctuated another fast break with a dunk.

By the time PJC’s “real” starting five was sent onto the court five minutes into the game, the Dragons had an 18-4 lead.

“We went with a different starting lineup because we had some academic situations, some guys not doing as well and missing practice. I decided to start some guys that probably would not have started had that not happened. But they came out ready to play,” Schuberth said.

OB JV 31 29 — 60

PJC 44 62 — 106

Oklahoma Baptist: Jon Smith 9, Eni Lianaz 6, Lane Howard 2, Andrew Rushing 3, Tanner Streater 16, Hayden Blessing 10, Jake Duvall 5, Dylan Ballard 9. Three-pointers: 7 (Scott 1, Rushing 1, Streater 2, Blessing 2, Ballard 1). Fouls 20.

PJC (2-0): Demarcus Wilson 14, Calvin Brown 7, Tonye Smith 8, Bryce Cartwright 14, Generra Varmall 9, Latay Darden 5, Terrence Bowman 13, Derrick Echols 8, Justynn Hammons 8, Desmond King 18, Sedric McBounds 2. Three-pointers: 8 (Wilson 2, Brown 1, Smith 1, Cartwright 1, Varmall 1, Bowman 2). Fouls 17.

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