BY JOHN D. HOMAN
Logan Media Services
CARTERVILLE – John A. Logan College men’s basketball coach Kyle Smithpeters may have found a new weapon Wednesday night as the Volunteers crushed Lewis & Clark College on “Carterville Night” in a Region 24 match, 95-53.
In his first college start, sophomore forward Jamie Jones of Herrin unloaded for 33 points and tied a school record for most 3-pointers made in a game with nine. He now shares the record with Russell Jupiter first set in 1991. Jones did manage to set the record for consecutive triples with eight.
“I guess the extra shots in the gym are paying off,” said Jones, who was unable to suppress a smile. “On a couple of them I heard the crowd yell…I didn’t even know I made them.”
JALC sophomore forward Jamie Jones goes up for a 3-pointer Wednesday against Lewis & Clark College. Jones cut loose with nine bombs that reached their destination, tying a 21-year-old school record. (Photo courtesy Jonathan LeBlond)
Jones said it felt like anything he shot was going to go in the basket. On one occasion, one of his long-range bombs was even tipped, but still found the mark.
“It’s a great feeling to have. I guess I made Coach look good for starting me tonight,” he joked. “The only thing better is if this had happened on Herrin Night. I guess I’ll have to make 10 threes next week.”
Smithpeters had only praise for Jones.
“Jamie’s done everything we’ve asked him to do since Day One,” he said. “He has struggled at times just because of his size and the physicality of the game, but he can shoot the basketball. We had one of our best practices of the year Tuesday and I told everybody that whoever plays well and competes hard is going to play a lot.
“And Jamie’s had a great month of January, both in practice and in the games. Tonight, everything fell into place for him and I’m very happy for him. He’s a great weapon. It’s good to have somebody on the floor who can hit shots and force the other team to guard you. When that happens, things open up inside.”
While it was Jones’ night to shine, his supporting cast was none too shabby. Freshman center Kaylen Shane scored a season-high 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and yanked down seven rebounds. Freshman forward Sondale Conner followed with 14 points, including two ferocious windmill slams and a pair of triples.
“I felt really comfortable out there tonight. We needed this one. We needed to come out and play hard and get a win,” Conner said. “Now, it’s a matter of staying focused and carrying this momentum over to the next game.”
Jamie Jones (middle) gets congratulated by Carterville native Drew Bonner (left) and Du Quoin grad Connor Wheeler after Jones knocked down his eighth-straight 3-pointer. (Photo courtesy Jonathan LeBlond)
Freshman forward Jay Johnson was also in double figures with 11. Aaron Adeoye chipped in eight points. Julian Hernandez knocked down a trey and finished with five points.
Freshman point guard Connor Wheeler didn’t shoot once, but had a whopping nine assists with no turnovers. Stephen McCarty’s 16 points led the Trailblazers.
The Vols led 40-27 at the half and never looked back.
Smithpeters said it was important to get back on the winning track after dropping consecutive road games at Vincennes and Rend Lake.
“I’m very happy for the guys. They did this for themselves and showed what kind of team they can be,” he said. “But we have to be consistent. It can’t be one game and then take another one off.”
The Vols, now 11-6 overall, travel to Mattoon Saturday night to take on Lake Land.
“They have big guys to match us inside and quick guards. We’re going to have to come out and compete hard and keep them off the glass,” Smithpeters said. “It will be a very tough game for us, but hopefully, we’ll be ready to go.”
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