Red Level claims win

Published 2:16 am Tuesday, December 23, 2008

The Tigers downed the Squadron Monday night to secure a win at home, 57-50.

Red Level and Highland Home were level at the beginning of the first quarter, only putting up four points each in the first three minutes of the game.

Red Level’s momentum changed as it pulled ahead in an eight-point lead over the Squadron heading into the second quarter, 16-8.

The Tigers put up 14 additional points in the first half to go into the locker room with a 30-20 lead with two quarters left to play.

Red Level assistant coach Kenneth Valrie said the team could have played a lot better.

“We played very sluggish,” said Valrie, who coached the team because head coach Fred Kelley was sick. “It was the Christmas blues I guess. We need to work on just a little bit of everything.”

After halftime, the Tigers dominated on offense and picked up the pace on defense, only allowing eight points in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Red Level put an additional 11 points on the board but Highland Home took momentum and put up 22 points.

Leading scorers for Red Level were D.J. Sankey with 20 points and Cale Nolen with 16.

In earlier play Monday night, the Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Squadron with a low score of 30-26.

“It was a win,” Red Level coach Delores Douglas said. “We were very lethargic and dead on our feet.”

Douglas said her team needs to work on applying pressure to their opponents.

“We need to work on our press, that needs improving,” she said.

Leading scorers for Red Level were Key Key Harris with 10 points and Koneshia Calloway with eight points.

Red Level will host its 11th annual Invitational Christmas tournament this weekend on Dec. 26, 27 and 29.

After their tournament, the Tigers will start area play on Jan. 6 against Excel.