Motlow State sophomore Jaylen Barford(Photo by Jeff Reed Photography)
The Motlow Bucks completed a sweep of their final three regular season games when they beat Volunteer State 96-80 Monday evening at Copperweld Arena. The win came two days after the Bucks hammered visiting Jackson State 99-64.
Motlow (23-6, 14-4) will enter next week’s Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA)/Region VII Tournament as the No. 2 seed. The Bucks will play the winner of the No. 7/10 contest on Tuesday, Mar. 1 at 6 p.m. If the Bucks win they will play again Thursday at 4 p.m. and the championship game is Friday at 2 p.m. This year’s tournament will be played at Volunteer State in Gallatin.
Sophomore Jaylen Barford was named the TCCAA Player of the Year, while his teammates Darius Joell, Stephaun Adams and JaQualis Matlock were named second-team all-conference. Barford led the league in scoring this season and is currently second on Motlow’s all-time career scoring list. He will finish in the top ten in career rebounding, assists and steals as well.
The Bucks were never threatened against Jackson State Saturday, leading 49-24 at intermission. Barford led the scoring with 22 points, followed closely by Joell with 20, including hitting 6-11 three-point shots. Adams added 14 points, Jade Patrick had 12 along with 10 rebounds, Ryan Jones scored 12 and Matlock scored 11 with seven rebounds.
Monday’s win over Volunteer State was more competitive as the Bucks led 49-38 at halftime but didn’t pull away from the visitors until a 20-point lead shrunk to nine points. Barford closed the deal with multiple late baskets and finished with a game-high 32 points. He also pulled down 11 rebounds and added four assists and three steals.
Jones scored 13 points and Matlock added 10. Jared Pearson pulled down 14 rebounds and Adams added nine points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals.
Tickets for the tournament are $5 per day, and children under the age of 12 get in free. Southwest Tennessee will enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed. The tournament opens with a pair of men’s play-in games on Monday.
Visit the official website of Motlow Athletics at <www.motlowsports.com> for rosters, schedules, stats and more. Interact with Motlow Athletics at <Facebook/MotlowSports> and <Twitter@MotlowSports>.
