JOURNAL SPORTS
The second annual Decari Markray Classic sponsored by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission is happening tonight and Tuesday afternoon at Bossier Parish Community College, with a young and exciting BPCC team tipping off tonight at 7 and Tuesday at 2.
The classic features four junior college basketball teams from three states. Four college basketball games will be played over two days followed by one high school game featuring two local schools.
The two games this evening will take place at 5 and 7 p.m. The first game will feature nationally-ranked Panola College from Carthage, Texas and East Central (Miss.) Community College from Decatur. The second game will feature Bossier Parish Community College and Delgado Community College from New Orleans.
Panola and Delgado will square off at noon Tuesday, followed by Bossier Parish and East Central at 2. To honor the tournament’s namesake, the former Doyline High School great who was lost as a freshman at BPCC, the last game of the classic will feature Doyline High School and Plain Dealing High School at 7 o’clock Tuesday evening.
Cavaliers’ coach J.A. Anglin is pleased with the progress his team has made already since the season tipped early this month.
“Really excited about this group. They have gelled in a short amount of time,” he said. “We are very young with 10 freshmen and two sophomores but we are talented. Our group has gone on the road and played well in some tough environments early this season. I am looking forward to seeing them develop and grow together this season.”
The Cavaliers’ top three players are all freshmen, with one a product of Ruston High School.
John Awoke, a 6-3 guard from Alexandria, Va., is averaging 14.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He scored 33 points in BPCC’s season opener.
Jahlil Bethea, a 6-2 guard from East Rutherford, N.J., is averaging 14.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Bethea scored a season-best 21 points on the road against nationally ranked (No. 15) Pearl River CC.
Braylan McNeal is a 6-5 guard who helped Ruston High School to the Class 5A state semifinals last season. Averaging 13.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, McNeal already has three double-doubles including 17 points and 18 rebounds last Friday night.
