One and Done

Birmingham, Ala. – Taking struggling basketball teams to new heights is something Southern head coach Rob Spivery has done throughout his career, but this season his Jaguars simply had too many obstacles to overcome.
Entering the tournament as the seventh seed, the Jaguars suffered a 74-65 loss to the No. 2 seed Tigers of Jackson State, in Wednesday’s first round of the 2007 SWAC Tournament at the BJCC Arena.
“We came into the tournament winners of four of our last six games, but today we didn’t play like we wanted to win,” said Spivery.
Southern (10-21), trailing by as many as 14 points in the second half, cut the Tigers lead to 64-59 before baskets on back-to-back turnovers derailed any comeback attempt.The Jaguars turned the ball over 25 times on their way to their 21st loss this season and could not seem to mount a consistent offensive attack all game.
“I thought we had ample opportunities throughout the ball game but mistakes on offense, and indecision on defense really costs us dearly,” Spivery said. You can’t win ball games with 25 turnovers this late in the season.”
Despite a 20-point effort from sophomore guard Chris Davis, the only other Jaguar to score in double figures was senior forward Deforrest Riley-Smith with 10.
“For some reason we played as if the pressure was on and it wasn’t,” Spivery said. “We entered as the seventh seed and should have played pressure free but didn’t for some reason.”
On the defensive end, Southern kept JSU standout guard Trey Johnson under control without a stellar game from senior guard Deforrest Riley-Smith. Johnson, the second leading scorer in the nation averaging 27.1 ppg, finished with 16 points on 4-of-17 shooting.
Riley-Smith, a team captain for the Jaguars scored only six points in the first half of play and had been hindered by flu-like with symptoms for three or four days leading up to Wednesday’s game.
“I was just trying not to think about it,” said Riley-Smith. “I actually tried to stay calm and think positive because a lot of players have had great games while battling symptoms of the flu, but it was apparent that I wasn’t all there mentally.”
The Tigers (19-13) got off to a quick start and led the game at halftime, 38-29 behind a 15 point first half by freshman center Grant Maxey.
“Maxey doesn’t play like a freshman,” said JSU coach Tevester Anderson. “He scores inside and can exhibit three-point range as well.”
Returning as SWAC champions, the 2006-2007 Jaguars had a life-sized bulls-eye on their back, not to mention they only returned five-letterman, two of which were starters.
Working with a new cast of players, Spivery suffered a vast decline in his second season and as a result only managed to guide the Jaguars to a dismal 10-21 record, 9-9 in SWAC play.
“I didn’t think we had very much today,” said Spivery. “You have those games when you think you’re ready to play and you come out to play, but your legs are not moving the way you want them to move and your brain is not clicking the way you want it to click.”
What’s next?
When asked what’s next, coach Spivery replied, “Recruiting.” “As a part of building for next season we have to hit the recruiting trail,” Spivery said. “It is very important that we get some good players to build on what we already have and replace what we will lose.”
And speaking of losses, the Jaguars will lose leading scorer Deforrest Riley-Smith and his leadership.
LagniappeDespite a first round exit, a bright spot for the Jaguars on Wednesday was sophomore guard Chris Davis. And, minus Riley-Smith and Jefney Anderson-Brown, Davis may be looked upon to lead the Jaguars in the 2007-2008 season.
In the loss he had 20 points, three steals and one assist.

SU forward Douglas Scott eyes the basket as he executes a reverse layup to score two of his 10 points against the Tigers. Scott shot a perfect 5 of 5 from the field but was inactive around the basket only grabbing three boards.