Fletcher MS- It was the battle of the unbeaten. A game for first place in the division and a chance for Arlington to avenge their three way division tie breaker defeat at the hands of Fletcher last year . In order to do this, the Vikings would have to show that they were ready to take the next step as a basketball team in defeating the defending champion Fletcher basketball team. Well the Arlington boys basketball team did that and more as they leveled up for a 51-32 win this week in Duval County Middle School basketball action.
Undefeated defending champion Fletcher Middle Senators get ready to face the Undefeated Arlington Vikings Duval County MS Boys Basketball pic.twitter.com/80LuqRGkeO
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) January 29, 2019
Undefeated defending champion Fletcher Middle Senators get ready to face the Undefeated Arlington Vikings Duval County MS Boys Basketball pic.twitter.com/IwQ3KxfAbp
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) January 29, 2019
Arlington jumped out to a 5-0 lead thanks to a three point play by center Sayvioun Blount, and a layup by guard Albert Lageurre. It would be an early sign of things to come as the Vikings pressured the Senators into careless turnovers, while controlling the offensive boards. After one, Arlington would take a 15-11 lead.
#13 Grant with the put back! He’s on fire this period for Arlington 15-11 is the score! Arlington leads after 1st pic.twitter.com/CgfQIe4oNI
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) January 29, 2019
Fletcher would not concede the win on their home court so easily. As Ronald Bullard (8 points) showed his quickness making shots for the Senators. Accompanying his effort was Andres Gonzalez (10 points) who drove to the basket with reckless abandon after seeing his team fall down early. They both scored early on in the contest attempting to keep their team in it. Even after Bullard went down with an apparent knee injury. He would return in the second half.
Andres Gonzalez to Ronald Bullard for the two! Fletcher still trails 17-13 2nd vs Arlington Middle pic.twitter.com/rhwNseSGhP
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) January 29, 2019
The efforts by Fletcher’s Gonzalez and Bullard were valiant, but what makes Arlington special is not only their imposing starting line up which boasts three players over 6 feet tall. The Vikings also have an amazing bench as players like Zahere Simon came into the game and extended their team’s lead by hitting big shots and playing great defense. Arlington’s Demarcus Allen scored 10 points in the first half as Arlington took a 27-19 lead into halftime.
#10 Grant II with the defense and #15 Simon with the offense as Arlington extends their lead to 27-16 over Fletcher Middle in the 2nd pic.twitter.com/Hk8qwyg8YZ
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) January 29, 2019
Fletcher stayed close in the first half, thanks in part to early foul trouble by Arlington. The Senators were able to capitalize at the free throw line and stay in the game.
Scott Inger with the free throw. Fletcher staying close to Arlington by going to the line 21-19 2nd pic.twitter.com/UOH63OMrmJ
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) January 29, 2019
Fletcher’s Mason Lee (6 points) would hit back to back three pointers in the second half as the defending champions showed heart and grit to claw their way back into the game. Yet Arlington was just too powerful, too imposing, too precise. Deiontaye Grant was a force on defense blocking shots and on offense hitting a late 3-pointer. His brother Daniel Grant III (both sons of Head Coach Daniel Grant II) locked down Fletcher with his masterful defense.
#3 Laguerre with the drive and the layip! Arlington extends lead to 16pts over Fletcher! 35-19! pic.twitter.com/Iv7dRZGAeq
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) January 29, 2019
And then there was Albert Lageurre, the smallest player on the court but without question the most dangerous. He would hit big shots all game, from downtown and silenced the crowd on a late three pointer to carry his team to victory. Lageurre would finish with 10 points, Allen-10 points, and Grant led all scorers with 18 points.
Fletcher will get another shot at Arlington later this season in hopes of creating another tie breaker scenario as they did last year. Arlington is sure to be ready this year, as they’ve proven early on that they’re just on another level.
