Tuesday sports page: Patrick to Itawamba, Hustle drop opener to Lakers
Photo: KJ Patrick unveils his choice of Itawamba Community College to play basketball next season on Monday, March 4. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
PATRICK SIGNS WITH ITAWAMBA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Mar 4, 2025- DeSoto Central guard KJ Patrick Tuesday signed to play next season at Itawamba Community College. Patrick led a Jaguar program to a first-round appearance in the MHSAA 7A playoffs this season.
DeSoto Central coach Blake Orman said Patrick was an example of the type of player he wants all his players to be like. Many times during the signing event, Patrick’s work ethic on the court and in the weight room were praised.
“He’s probably one of the most naturally talented players I had,” Orman said. “As a ninth grader, he was very undersized, but he has put in just a tremendous amount of work in the weight room with us, but also on his own.”
Patrick led DeSoto Central in scoring, but Orman said he also led in steals and assists. He joined the 1,000 point club in a game last December against Booneville.
“I knew that he had a lot of good opportunities and I just knew that whoever got him, wherever he’s going to go, he’s just, he’s going to be successful because of his work ethic,” Orman said. “He’s the right kind of person that you want to be in your program, and especially at a point guard position, that leadership position.”.
HUSTLE-LAKERS BATTLE AT THE LANDERS CENTER
The Memphis Hustle gave up a double digit lead and scored only 14 points in the fourth quarter of a game won by the visiting South Bay Lakers 118-108 Tuesday night at the Landers Center in Southaven. The combination of Cam Spencer’s 24 points and assignment player Jay Huff’s 21 points eventually were not enough to stop the Lakers, which used six players in double figures.
Cole Swider led South Bay with 20 points and Jhonathan Dunn added 19 more.
Memphis erased a seven-point first-quarter deficit with a 40-point second quarter and a 62-57 halftime lead. The Hustle added to the lead through three quarters at 94-86, but shooting went cold in the final 12 minutes as Memphis scored only 14 points. Coach T.C. Swirsky said he felt his team “let one get away” in the start of the current four-game home stand.
“I think we’re up 11 with eight minutes to go, and just couldn’t see one go through the hoop,” Swirsky said. “At times, I felt like we were getting good shots, other times, just kind of a little sloppy. (South Bay) did a good job of really closing us out in the fourth and taking advantage of our mistakes.”
Huff, who is on assignment to the Hustle and stands 7-foot-1, led the Hustle in scoring for much of the game until Spencer caught fire later. It was Huff’s first game with the Hustle and Swirsky thought he fit in well for the team.
“I think it just speaks to what we’re doing as an organization, that you kind of plug and play somebody who’s never played with any of these guys before in his life,” Swirsky said.
The Hustle will look to gain a split when the teams meet again Thursday night, 7 p.m. at the Landers Center.
BACOT NAMED G LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
March 4, 2025- The NBA G League today announced that Memphis Hustle forward/center Armando Bacot was named the NBA G League Player of the Week for games played Monday, February 24, through Sunday, March 2.
This marks the first career Player of the Week award for Bacot, who guided the Hustle to a 2-1 record and averaged 25.7 points, 17.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 32.3 minutes while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from beyond the arc.
“He’s been pretty consistent all year for us, but really has stepped it up here lately,” said Hustle coach T.C. Swirsky. “This shows the hard work he’s been putting in is really starting to pay off.”
Bacot registered 34 points and a single-game franchise-record 25 rebounds on February 28 against the Santa Cruz Warriors. The performance marked the first 30-point, 20-rebound game in franchise history. The 24-year-old scored at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in all three games, recording three consecutive double-doubles.
“It was definitely great getting that recognition,” Bacot said. “My approach going into that week was just to make a statement and try to bring home three wins. We got two back (from the road trip) so that was good.”
Bacot, who earlier this year won the NBA G League Up Next Game as part of Team Braxton, is averaging 17.4 points and 10.0 rebounds in 22 regular season games in his rookie season for the Hustle, the NBA G League’s highest scoring offense (120.6) in the regular season.
RANGERS TO HOLD FOOTBALL TRYOUTS MARCH 28
Mar 4, 2025- Northwest Mississippi Community College head football coach Benjy Parker has announced an open tryout for the 2025 season roster for Friday, March 28 at 12:30 p.m.
Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Ranger Football Complex and the cost is $20 (cash only; no checks). The campus is located at 4975 Hwy. 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668 and the tryout will take place at Bobby Franklin Field.
This tryout is only for high school seniors who have not yet signed a National Letter of Intent. All participants should bring a current physical, cleats and workout gear.For additional details, contact assistant coaches Paige Anders at 662-562-3414 (randers@northwestms.edu) or Scott Oakley at 662-562-3424 (scoakley@northwestms.edu)
