Baylor School graduate Jonathan Adams' double-double (15 pts./13 rebounds), 14 rebounds from Z. McClendon and 19 points from Alex Dean guided the Chattanooga Rail Runners to a 110-85 win against the Memphis Soul Kings in a Central Basketball League game Sunday at the Rossville Athletic Complex.
The Rail Runners improve to a league-leading 5-1 record, while Memphis is 2-4.
The Soul Kings were led by Reginald Christian with 24 points, followed by Jahrill Holmes (17) and Tyrell Hursey (12).
Chattanooga travels to Bowling Green (Ky,) Friday and then to Middle Tenn. Storm in Nashville (April 26) with the next home game on April 27 vs. Fort Wayne (Ind.).
The Rail Runners started fast leading 14-7 at the six minute mark on an alley oop basket by Alex Dean.
he highlight of the first quarter was a 60-foot basket at the buzzer by former UTC player Dante Hampton for a 30-15 lead.
Chattanooga extended the lead to 30 (57-27) at halftime.
"We wanted to start fast with lots of energy, pressure them on defense and control the offensive boards which I think we did," said Rail Runnners coach Rodney English who is also the head boys coach at East Hamilton High School.
"Even though we beat them in Memphis the second game of the season, they won the battle on the offensive boards and we wanted to change that today and we did.
The Rail Runners won the overall rebounding battle, 62-40.
For Chattanooga, Z.. McClendon led all players with 14 boards, followed by Adams (13) and Alex Dean (9).
The top rebounders for Memphis was Jonathan Stevens with 12, Lewis McCaster (7) and Reginald Christian (5).
Second Half: The Soul Kings came out strong in the third quarter scoring the first 11 points to trail by 19 at 57-38 in the first three minutes.
But the hosts went on a 11-4 run to lead 68-42 and led by 27 at 84-57 after three quarters. The largest lead of the quarter was 28 points at 80-52 on a Scates' basket.
The Rail Runners continued the offensive pace in the final 12 minutes, maintaining a 20 point plus lead to the final horn.
"We started the season with four straight wins, followed by a bad loss to Middle Tennessee here at home and I challenged the guys to win another four straight and then we will see where we are at," English stated. "Today's win is a good start to hopefully another four straight."
Chattanooga 110, Memphis 87
Memphis 15 - 12 - 30 - 30 -- 87
Chattanooga 30 - 27 - 27 - 26 - 110.
Chattanooga (110) E'Jay Ward (10), Quincy Scates (8), Jonathan Adams (15), Mike Robertson (12), Rob Murphy (4), Dontay Hampton (7), Alex Wells (15), Z. McClendon (3), Dominique Harper (7), Steve Bennett (8), Alex Dean (19), Josh McGregory (2)
Memphis (87) Edward Graves (7), Reginald Christian (24), Jonathan Stevens (6), Lewis McCaster (4), Jahrell Holmes (17), Hauns Brerton (11), Tyrell Hursey (12), Nate Nash (6), Darren Currie
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net