Pike blitzes new look J-Hawks

ROCKFORD - The schedule makers didn't do new Jefferson basketball coach John Rossato any favors.

The J-Hawks won a school-record 27 games in 2017-2018, but only one player who saw significant minutes is back for 2018-2019. Jefferson opened its season Tuesday night against perennial Indiana power Indianapolis Pike, which was coming off a disappointing loss to East on Monday night.

Pike blitzed Jefferson from the start, running up 51 points in the first half. The Red Devils survived a third-quarter spurt by Jefferson and then ran away for an 89-53 win.

Ten Red Devils scored, led by Jasen Graves' 17 points off the bench. Ahmoni Jones added 15, LaJuan Whitney 12 and Davion Bailey 10.

Jefferson got 13 points from Latrell Graham, 12 from George Williams, the only returning starter, and 10 from Lajuan Morris. Morris and Williams are juniors and Graham is a sophomore.

The J-Hawks trailed 51-29 at halftime but cut the lead to 53-45 with four minutes left in the third quarter. A 3-point play by Pike's Chris Robinson halted the run and the Red Devils rolled from there. 

The J-Hawks play again Wednesday against Hollywood (Fla.) McArthur at Jefferson at 10 a.m. Pike (1-1) takes on Auburn at Auburn also at 10 a.m.

BOXSCORE

Indianapolis Pike 89, Rockford Jefferson 53

Pike .......29 22 15 23 - 89
Jefferson ..16 13 16 8 - 53

PIKE - White 3 1-1 8, Johnson 3 0-0 6, Bailey 4 0-0 10, Whitney 4 1-1 12, Jones 7 1-2 15, Robinson 3 3-3 9, Graves 4 1-2 17, Love 1 0-0 2, Yarbro 3 0-0 6, J. Johnson 2 0-2 4. Totals 36 7-11 89.
JEFFERSON - Graham 6 1-1 13, Williams 5 0-1 12, Henigan 1 1-2 3, Dez. Jordan 1 1-2 3, Dem. Jordan 1 0-1 2, Morris 3 3-5 10, Massey 2 0-0 5, Q. Robinson 1 0-0 2, Bankole 1 1-1 3. Totals 21 7-13 53.
3-pt FG: Pike 10 (Graves 4, Whitney 3, Bailey 2, White), Jefferson 4 (Williams 2, Morris, Massey).

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