The Rockdale County boys varsity basketball earned its first victory of the season Tuesday night at home, defeating Druid Hills 76-52 in region play.
The win moves the Bulldogs to 1-5 on the season.
Connor Ferrell led Rockdale with 16 points, but Rockdale coach Alen Williams said the win was truly a team defensive effort.
“It’s a strange feeling for us being this far into the season and getting our first win, but I knew things were going to be difficult for our young team,” Williams said. “We’re continuing to get a little better each game.”
The Red Devils led 18-17 after the first quarter of play, but Rockdale’s defense limited Druid Hills to nine points in the second quarter, outscoring the Red Devils 19-9 in the period to carry a 36-27 lead into halftime.
“We ran our offense a little better and I think we actually committed to playing defense for the first time all season,” William said. “It showed tonight.”
The Bulldogs outscored Druid Hills 40-25 in the second half, including a 24-point third quarter.
Williams said that the Bulldogs’ development hinges on the improved play of point guard Jalen Jordan, who finished with six points in the win.
“Our young point guard Jalen Jordan is starting to understand what his teammates can and cannot do,” he said. “In his first four or five games, it was tough for him, but now he’s putting his teammates into good position to succeed. He just understands them better.”
With a rivalry game against Heritage coming up, Williams said he wants to see his team continue to work better as a unit.
“I just want to see our kids play hard and listen and learn a little more about the game,” Williams said. “We can always grow as players.”
Jamal Turner, Darryl Tucker and Brian Jessie also finished in double figures for the Bulldogs, with Turnover scoring 13 points and Tucker and Jessie adding 10 points apiece.
Lady Bulldogs win
The Rockdale County girls varsity basketball team opened Tuesday night with a 67-50 win over the Druid Hills Lady Red Devils, improving its record to 2-3 overall.
The win as the second for the Lady Bulldogs in region play.
Rockdale finished with four players scoring in double figures, as Bianca Riley led the Lady Bulldogs with 13 points in the win. Brianna Patton added 12 points and Sydney Fields and Destiny Stevens added 11 points apiece.
Rockdale coach Gladys King said the Lady Bulldogs’ new-look defense held the Lady Red Devils in check.
“We started by putting pressure on the ball, but we backed off into a difference defense,” King said. “We changed defenses and started working on a zone and I think it’s been effective. It worked very well last night.”
While the Lady Bulldogs’ primary defense underwent a change against Druid Hills, King said a lot of Rockdale’s success has been ball control.
“The biggest change I’ve seen out of us from the start to the end of the season has been taking care of the ball,” she said. “Bianca Riley moved to point guard and she’s taken on the role very well. As she gets more comfortable, she’s going to get better.”
Rockdale returns to action today on the road against Heritage.
