Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Dec. 6, 2024 – The Jonesboro High School Varsity Boys Hurricanes overwhelmed the Paragould Rams, defeating them 59-14 at Don Riggs Hurricane Gym on Thursday night.
The meeting was part of the first round of the 39th Barry Pruitt Classic. The eight-team tournament honors the late Barry Pruitt, who coached the Hurricanes for 28 years and led the team to a pair of state titles. Jonesboro coasted into the tournament with three regular season contest wins, while Paragould looked to gain some traction after losing two of their first three games.
The Hurricanes broke out on an early run. Dejavius Johnson opened the scoring after Luke Baltz grabbed a rebound and found him streaking down the floor. Johnson euro-stepped between two defenders to score.
Baltz found Johnson on the break a few moments later and delivered an alley-oop, forcing the Rams into an early timeout with the score 6-0. Jonesboro continued to be stingy on defense, allowing no points for the first seven minutes.
The scoreless drought ended when Jerry Facon banked a floater off the glass. Paragould found points hard to come by, as the score was 14-5 when the first quarter ended.
The second quarter started with a 5-0 Jonesboro run which induced another timeout. CJ Larry extended the lead to 14 points with a breakaway layup after getting a steal. The Rams continued to hang in the game, but late in the quarter Johnson nailed a 3-point shot, then Baltz made good on his own from the corner.
Paragould was forced into calling for another break. At halftime, the visitors found themselves trailing 33-13.
The third quarter was almost all Jonesboro. Implementing ball movement on offense and hustling to make rotations on defense, an all-around team performance led to a third quarter in which Jonesboro outscored Paragould 18-1. Unable to register a successful field goal in the period, the Rams looked outmatched.
Going into the fourth quarter with a 51-14 scoreline allowed JHS starters some relief, as they were pulled for the whole of the period.
JHS substitutes were given a chance to play some extra minutes, including sophomores Elliot McGaughlin, Sydney Smith, Jaylin Jones, Jaydin Jones, and junior T.J. Brown. This group finished the game for the Hurricanes, seeing out a 59-14 victory and allowing no points.
The lopsided victory marked four on the season for Jonesboro. The Hurricanes will seek to remain unbeaten when they welcome Westside, whose perfect record (5-0) was improved last time when they defeated Walnut Ridge.
The teams will face off in the semifinals of the tournament. If JHS advances, they will see either Marion or De Smet Jesuit in the finals.