By Evan Merrill
NKyTribune contributor
Newport junior guard Mekell Burries scored 26 points and pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds in his team’s 56-38 win over Lloyd in the first round of the 9th Region boys’ basketball tournament at BB&T Arena on Thursday.
Burries scored 12 points in the fourth quarter when Newport closed out the game with a 25-8 run to snap a two-game losing steak against Lloyd.
“Players make big shots in big games, he made a bunch of big shots,” Lloyd coach Mike Key said of Burries, who scored 32 and 21 points in his team’s two district tournament games.
Newport came out in a zone defense that Lloyd couldn’t seem to attack and held the Juggernauts to five points in the first quarter.
Burries scored nine points in the second quarter when Newport opened up a 21-11 lead. Lloyd scrapped together a 7-0 run later in that quarter to make it 23-18 at the half. After the break, the Juggernauts got the momentum once again and trailed by just one, 31-30, entering the fourth quarter.
“We knew the run was coming,” Newport coach Rodney Snapp said. “Weather the storm, take care of the ball, don’t take bad shots, jump passes, nothing crazy.”
Burries took over in the fourth quarter to finish on top in the scoring column. His teammate, sophomore Donnie Miller, had 15 points and seven boards. He stepped up when the Juggernauts focused their defense on containing Burries.
Lloyd scored 60 and 74 points in its two wins over Newport during the regular season so coach Snapp was proud of his team’s defensive effort in the regional rematch. The Wildcats’ main focus on defense was containing Lloyd seniors Sterling Hamilton and Devin McClendon.
“We just said we’re going to let the other guys beat us, but we’re going to stay on them,” coach Snapp said. “We’re going to get on them. We’re going to make them drive. I told (our players) once they catch it and get it in their shooting pocket they feel good. You have to get out and make them feel uncomfortable. I thought we did a pretty good job.”
Newport will play Cooper in a regional semifinal game at 8 p.m. Saturday. The winner will advance to the championship game at 7 p.m. Monday.