TBT run ends for JHX Hoops against Heartfire, 71-68
JHX Hoops, coached by Sherron Collins, had numerous opportunities to advance to the quarterfinal round of TBT in Wichita, Kansas.
With the target score at 71, David McCormack, with JHX Hoops three points away from advancing on to the Wichita Region, turned the ball over.
On the next possession down the court, Eric Washington drilled a baseline jumper to win the game for Heartfire.
“It was great,” said Sherron Collins after the game. “I think we let it slip through our hands. We had multiple chances to put them away and we didn’t. We were just lackadaisical. We knew this was a game that the big things wouldn’t hurt us. It’s the little things, like rebound and getting back on offense, getting back on defense, holding them to one shot where we let them get multiple offensive rebounds.
“So it’s the little things that beat us today,” he added. “It’s been amazing. That’s why I’m so, it’s over, so it hurts to be over because just being around the guys that you wish you could have played with or seeing some of those guys and everybody vibes and we all get along. The dinners and the meetings makes it all worth it.
Zeke Mayo hit one of the biggest shots of the game
One of the biggest shots of the game came at one of the biggest moments. Trailing by two points with the Elam Ending in play. Zeke Mayo drilled a three-point shot, which put JHX Hoops up by three points. At the time, it appeared to put JHX Hoops over the top.
“Very frustrating,” said Zeke Mayo after the game. “Obviously, the game didn’t go how we wanted it to. I mean, some calls didn’t go our way, but we can’t blame the refs. I mean, it was a physical game, all game, but some stuff just didn’t go our way. I mean, they got the 50-50 balls that were in our hands, they just somehow ended up with them.
“So, I mean, it sucks to lose, obviously,” he continued. “Just playing under Sherron (Collins). I think that’s the biggest thing for me, just being able to learn from him, watching up growing up, and then just having the opportunity to play for him. That was very special for sure.”
Collins, after the game, was visibly upset when talking to a select group of media outlets outside the locker room. It wasn’t just about winning basketball games and advancing, but it was also special for Collins to spend significant time with a group of men that, over time, he’s grown to love and respect.
Collins already looking forward to next year’s TBT
For now, those moments in time will be pusued for a period of time.
“So I mean, it is a good thing,” said Collins. “This is a great tournament. It’s great. I mean, I love it and it is good. We get to come back and be around, and the guys get to be in Lawrence a little bit and we got to play at home in Kansas City. so it was great. We just wish we could have continued to play.
“Patience,” said Collins when asked what he learned from this group of men.” Being able to coach high-level guys who think the same way. So, sometimes I saw something, and they saw something different, and I had to get out of my way and let it work, and it worked. I’m a players’ coach, so out there they got to see it and if they see it and they come back and I’ll make adjustments. So it was great learning from those. I think we learned from each other.”
