Mavs are hoping to avoid the 4 seed in the district tourney
After winning seven consecutive games, the Anderson County High School boys basketball team has dropped two straight contests as its streaky 2022-23 campaign continues.
The Mavericks, who dropped a 79-71 non-district decision at Northview Academy Monday night, now face a big home game when they host Knoxville Halls Friday night.
Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.
The Mavs (11-10 overall, 2-3 in District 4-AAA) won their first-ever District 4-AAA game against the Red Devils in December. ACHS notched a comeback win, prevailing 69-64 on Dec. 16 in North Knox County.
The Mavericks must win to avoid being the No. 4 seed in the upcoming district tournament.
A second victory and a season sweep against the Red Devils (11-9 overall at press time and 3-1 in the district) won’t guarantee anything for ACHS.
“It’s a big one; we could win and still end up as the No. 4 seed,” Anderson County Coach Jordan Jeffers said.
“But we have to win that game to give ourselves a chance to avoid being that No. 4 seed.”
Despite seeing his squad defeat the Red Devils earlier this season, Jeffers knows things won’t be easy when the Mavericks return to the hardwood.
“They’re very good,” Jeffers said of Halls. “And we’re not going to take them by surprise this time.”
So what’s gone wrong for Anderson County in its last two outings, the loss to the Cougars early this week and its second league loss to Scott late last week?
“We’re extremely emotional; our emotions are out of control,” Jeffers said. “We get too high and too low. We have to play more towards the middle, and we have to get better defensively.”
Brandon Dake scored 21 points against Northview on Monday.
While ACHS has struggled in its last two games, the Mavericks opened last week with a 72-43 victory at Oliver Springs as Dake poured in 34 points and knocked down five 3-pointers against the Bobcats.