Senior Braeden Pursell joins 1,000-point club; Indians finish 2-2 at Arrowhead Classic
Senior center Braeden Pursell joined the "1,000 Point Club" Thursday with a fourth quarter basket in a big win over Eldorado at the inaugural Johnston City Arrowhead Classic.
"This is a big accomplishment for sure because not very many people do that," Pursell said.
Pursell's achievement is even more amazing because it happened in just a little over two and a half seasons. He missed his entire freshman year with a broken ankle and battled injuries his entire sophomore season.
"It was one of my goals, but I knew I had to work hard to get 1,000," Pursell said, talking on Saturday after the Indians lost to Anna-Jonesboro to finish the tournament.
"I've had a few short games like tonight against Anna, but overall I've been putting up 18 to 20 a game. Personally my season is going well, but I'd like to win more games."
The 1,000-point play began with 2:50 remaining in the game and Du Quoin leading 57-53. Kadin Mays brought the ball down the left side of the court and passed to Trajion Smith just inside the 3-point line still on the left side.
At the same time Pursell was running down the middle of the court with an Eldorado defender in front of him. Just as Smith got the ball the defender left Pursell to cover Smith, so Smith sent an alley-oop lob that was off the rim just enough for Pursell to call off the slam and reset for an easy basket with 2:44 remaining.
<b>Indians 68; Eldorado 63</b>
The Indians got off to a great start taking a 17-8 lead after the first quarter with Pursell scoring seven points on three field goals and 1-of-2 free throws. Mays added five points on a field goal and a 3-pointer with Brian Winters also scoring a 3-pointer and Wade Roberson a two-point basket.
Du Quoin extended its lead to 10 points at the half with Pursell scoring nine of the Indians' 17 second quarter points.
Eldorado cut the lead to six in the third quarter with Pursell being held scoreless while in foul trouble. After Pursell scored his milestone basket the Eagles could only cut the lead by two more points.
Eldorado came into the tournament second in the Black Diamond East with an overall record of 14-4 and winners of its first two games in the tournament over Christopher, 58-47, and Anna-Jonesboro, 38-27. After the 67-63 loss to Du Quoin the Eagles finished the tournament with a 54-43 win over Johnston City.
<b>Anna-Jonesboro 53; Indians 46</b>
Saturday night in the final game of the tournament the up-and-down Indians season continued with a 53-46 loss to Anna-Jonesboro. Roberson led the Indians with 10 points and Smith added seven points.
"First half we were dragging our feet a little bit didn't give the full effort, so Anna came out and pretty much kicked us in the face," said Indians Coach Jason James. "I was really just upset with our effort. That's how it's been all year. We'll come out and play a really good game and then we show up the next night it's just like blah. We have find a way to get these kids motivated in our last seven games."
At the beginning of the fourth quarter Coach James made a complete lineup change - bringing in freshman Jeremiah Tate, senior Dasani Edwards, sophomore Jaden Smith, sophomore Maurice Washington and junior Jake Prather. It worked, with the Indians going on a 9-2 run in the first 2:12 to cut a 14-point lead down to seven and later to five points with 2:53 remaining.
"We put those guys in there to try to shake things up," James said. "They did a good job. I think we lost it in the first half. They tried to make up for it in the second half and came up short."
Tate finished with five points, including a 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter. Washington also scored five points, Edwards had four and Smith two.
"We've got some young kids that will fly around and do what we ask them," James said. "Talking with the coaches it might be time to give those kids more minutes if that's the way the other guys show up and play. Tate came off the bench and did outstanding for us. He attacked the seams and tried to attack the rim and he found other guys. That's what you want in a younger player."
Pursell and Mays were selected for the All-Tournament team.
Du Quoin (8-13, 1-4 Mississippi Division) returns to the court Friday with conference foe Carterville (10-11, 2-3 Mississippi) coming to Anders Gymnasium.
"After what it seems to be 15 games on the road it will feel good to be back home," James said.