Jeffries scores 34 to lead Demopolis in double overtime win

It took an additional eight minutes of play, but Demopolis (5-5) held off John Essex (4-7) for a 74-67 double overtime win in the first round of the DHS Christmas Tournament Thursday

“We knew they beat Akron by 20 and we barely survived Akron. So we knew it was going to be a dog fight,” Demopolis coach Rodney Jackson said.

John Essex senior guard Michael Moore forced both extra periods in the game. With 14 seconds left in regulation, he drained a three-pointer off a Jalen Worthy assist to knot the game at 54.

The sequence followed a pair of Roderick Davis free throws at the 25-second mark that put Demopolis up 54-51.

Josh Moore put Essex on top just 10 seconds into the overtime period when he connected on a pair of free throws to give the Hornets a 56-54 lead. Kiante Jeffries tied the game again for Demopolis just six seconds later with a pair of free throws. After Cortez Lewis hit a free throw with 2:59 to go in the first overtime to put Demopolis up 57-56, Josh Moore snagged a rebound and got the put-back on the other end to put Essex up 58-57. Older brother Michael Moore added to the Essex lead with a free throw to put the Hornets up 59-57.

With 1:46 to go, Davis knocked down a triple off a Lewis assist to put Demopolis up 60-59. Jeffries added to the advantage with 47.1 left when he hit a free throw to make it 61-59.

Michael Moore proceeded to push the ball up the floor and attack the basket going to his right where he drew a foul and cashed in on the opportunity. His two free throws with 38.8 left tied it at 61 and sent the game into its second overtime.

Davis, who did not score prior to 25 seconds remaining in regulation, cashed in a three-point opportunity off a catch-and-shoot sequence started by an athletic play in which D.J. Howell leaped out of bounds to save a ball, turned his body in mid-flight and fired the assist to his waiting teammate.

With 3:16 to go, Josh Moore cleaned up around the rim again for the Hornets, dumping in another put-back to cut it to 64-63.

Jeffries then added two more free throws and a jumper to put Demopolis up 68-63 before Josh Moore hit another put-back to make it 68-65.

And Anthony McIntosh layup in transition put the Hornets down 68-67 and snapped a string of 16 consecutive Essex points scored by the Moore brothers, a run that began with 3:04 left in regulation and culminated with 1:17 to go in the second overtime.

Demopolis iced the win with a Howell drive and a quartet of free throws.

The Moore brothers paced Essex as Michael finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Josh added 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Hornets to go along with two blocked shots.

“They’re just good ball players. They had so much improvement. They can drive. They shoot and they can pass,” Jackson said of the Essex squad.

But it was Jeffries who stole the show and the game for Demopolis. The senior finished with 34 points, seven rebounds and three steals to anchor the Tigers on a night in which he connected on six treys.

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without Kiante Jeffries tonight. I’ll tell you that,” Jackson said of the senior’s career high scoring performance. “A great night. If it weren’t for him, we definitely would’ve tanked this one. Just a big, big night.”

Charles Tripp added 10 points and six rebounds for the Tigers. Lewis had nine points while Davis finished with eight points, seven assists and six rebounds.

McIntosh finished with 10 points and five assists for the Hornets.

Essex kept things tight largely off a rebounding advantage that saw them outpace Demopolis 47-35 in the category.

Demopolis is set to play R.C. Hatch in the championship game of the tournament Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Essex will see area rival Linden in the third place game at 6 p.m.