Essien Lockleer put the Tigers on his back in a 37-point performance, as #4 Commerce (5-0) held off Hudson Huff’s 37 for #7 Franklin County (4-1) in a 76-69 heavyweight battle.
Commerce, playing at home, never trailed in the contest, though the Lions got within a few points with just over a minute left in the game. Lockleer and Huff went toe-to-toe in the second half, as the former had 26 of his 37 in that span, and the latter 24 in the final two quarters.
The Tigers got going early behind Bryson Parks and Lockleer riding out to a quick 8-3 lead. Maki Mitchell nailed a 3-pointer, but Huff retaliated with the first of his five. Lockleer had 11 points in the opening quarter as Commerce held a comfortable 21-10 lead.
Franklin County would not give in, as the Lions outpaced the Tigers 16-14 in the second. Huff had a 3-point play followed by another deep ball, helping his team to within four. He had 13 first half points, as the home team was up 35-26 at the break.
Hudson Huff opened the third quarter with a rare 4-point play, converting at the line after hitting a trifecta and getting knocked down. The Lions were inching close, but Jeremiah Jarrells ignited the crowd with a dunk on the break. Lockleer hit a dagger from beyond the arc seconds later, pushing the lead back up to 46-35. Commerce was up by as many as 15 in the second half.
Advertisement
The fourth quarter saw a furious rally by Hudson and Bentley Huff. They drained back-to-back deep shots, and Bentley Huff had a clutch triple at the 3-minute mark to make it a 63-57 ball game. The Lions closed to 65-62 with 1:27 on the board, but Lockleer had a game-sealing 3-point play to ice the contest.
Lockleer led with 37 points for Commerce, while Mitchell had 14. Parks ended with nine, Jarrells seven, Ty Sorrells six, two for Mason Brown, and one for Zavion Smith.
Franklin County was paced by Hudson Huff’s 37, with Bentley Huff following with 16. Sam Shaver and Drake Nix each had six, Kennan Burtch had four, and Elliott Harbin one.
