Bulldogs Take Two In Summer League Action

The Marianna Bulldogs were the lone Jackson County team to hit the floor this past Tuesday night in the Summer League action at Marianna High School. The Bulldogs were victorious in both outings, first posting a 47-30 win over the Blue Devils of Holmes County. Marianna jumped out to an early 9-5 lead and then increased that lead to 15-5 midway through the first half. Tre Jackson and Kruize Pinkins did most of the damage for the ‘Dogs. Jackson continued to burn the nets and Marianna took a 24-11 halftime lead. Quay Royster and Skylar Gause got the ‘Dogs going in the start of the second half as Marianna lead swelled to 30- 16. Holmes County made one run in the second half and narrowed the margin to as few as 9 points. Jackson and Pinkins reentered the game and took care of business, send the Blue Devils to the locker room with a 47-34 loss. Jackson led the way with 17 points while Pinkins followed with 12. Royster and D.J. Granberry each added 6 points in the win.

Game two of the night for the Bulldogs saw them take on the Monarchs of Mount St. Olive, a private school out of Dothan. This turned out to be a close game right down to the wire and in fact it took overtime for the Bulldogs to hang on for a 64-62 win. Again it was the Jackson and Pinkins show that helped Marianna cruise to an early 21-8 lead. With the Bulldog starters taking a seat on the bench the Monarchs fought back to tie the game at 24-24 and then took a 29-26 lead at the half. In the second half Jackson, Pinkins and Kendall Leeks got the Bulldogs a quick lead again and that lead held through most of the half. But the starters again got a breather and again the Monarchs took advantage, roaring back to take a 57-56 lead with less than a minute to play. Jackson came up with a steal and a layup that gave Marianna a 60-57 lead with only seconds to play but a long 3 pointer by the Monarchs at the buzzer sent the game into overtime. Jackson quickly got a steal and finished this one with a slam dunk. Gause hit a couple of free throws and Marianna led 64-60. The Monarchs added a last second shot but it was not enough to pull off the upset over the Bulldogs. Jackson led Marianna with 18 points while Pinkins followed with 13.