Jones Senior's comeback falls short against Tarboro in CPC First Round

TARBORO | Jones Senior's season may be over, but the team fought until the end.

The Trojans fell to Tarboro 73-69 Monday in the first round of the Coastal Plains Conference tournament. The Vikings (14-8) had a 15-point third-quarter lead erased, but recovered to defeat the Trojans (4-17).

"(Jones Senior) Coach (Dexter Cannon) coached them up," Tarboro coach Reginald Bess said. "They're a dangerous group, but we were able to hit some shots in key situations to stay ahead."

The first half was extremely competitive with 10 ties and five lead changes. Tarboro had a 31-27 advantage late in the second on a Caleb Whitley 3-pointer, but A.J. Ellis and Detorian Brown scored all the points in an 8-2 run to put Jones Senior ahead with 55 seconds remaining.

Tarboro scored the last four points of the half to go ahead 37-35 before going on a big run to start the third quarter. Kenazius Black led the charge with a trio of perimeter shots, his final one putting the Vikings ahead 54-39 with 2:26 left in the third.

Jones Senior countered with Brown hitting three from beyond the arc, including a buzzer-beater to bring the Trojans within 54-50 heading into the fourth. Whitley and Travis Johnson scored inside to start the final frame for Tarboro, but Jalin Hall countered with two 3-pointers and Djimon Jones scored on a layup to tie the game at 58 with 6:14 to go.

Jones Senior couldn't take the lead and after the squad's traded baskets, Javiyes Massenburg scored for Tarboro, who only had one more field goal but cashed in at the line. Jones hit two more of the Trojans' 10 triples late to pull the team within 72-69 with 11 seconds remaining, but Whitley's free throw on the other end finished it.

Jones Senior coach Dexter Cannon said the team wasn't afraid or the challenge.

"We knew we could match up well with them," Cannon said. "We lost to them by eight here earlier this season and they made some big shots here.

"I'm proud of the boys. They fought hard and didn't get down on themselves."

Massenburg scored 20 points, Black had all 18 of his in the second half and Whitley added 16 for Tarboro. For Jones Senior, Brown had a game-high 23 points, Jones had 15 and Ellis poured in all 11 of his in the first half.