East Hamilton Defeats University School Of Nashville As Frank Jones Meets Son Mike Jones On The Court

  • Sunday, December 16, 2018
  • Andre Duncan

East Hamilton varsity boys continued their winning streak on Saturday night with a 67-44 victory over University School of Nashville in a game that pitted East Hamilton Coach Frank Jones against son Mike Jones.

 

Frank Jones continues to notch marquee victories in his first season with the Hurricanes, including.

63-49 against Cleveland, 68-38 against Notre Dame,and 76-56 against Bradley County.  

 

While any coach would take all games on his schedule with critical importance, this game against the University School of Nashville will be more memorable than most. Coach Frank Jones, Chattanooga basketball legend, was pitted against his former Howard High School basketball prodigy son. Frank was a mentor of the game to Mike growing up, leaving many to ask if Mike would ever surpass his father.

 

Frank Jones says, “It’s exciting to be able to play a game against my son, to be coaching at the same time he’s coaching. It was very emotional.”


East Hamilton jumped out to an 10-2 lead in the first quarter. University School of Nashville made in-game adjustments and rattled the East Hamilton basketball squad as they started to make many turnovers and have short possessions. The Hurricanes struggled with the defensive sets presented by USN, as the Hurricanes shot an uncharacteristic 41.5 percent from the field, but East Hamilton managed to hold onto a slim lead at half time.

 

Coach Frank Jones has been known for motivating his players to another level, going back to his coaching days at Kirkman High. Whether or not, it was a fiery half time speech, or being informed that the Hurricanes would be facing off with the son of their coach, the Hurricanes came out hot in the third quarter, before finally putting the game away in the fourth. The Hurricanes are now 10-2 (3-0) for the season.


East Hamilton Senior Jamaal Walker said, “It was a team effort, but we all started slow. Coach told me just go out and play like Jamaal Walker.”


The starting guard, Walker, produced 11 of the team’s 30 points in the first half. When the Hurricanes found their groove and got back to their scoring ways, Walker had led the scoring wave with 25 total points. He set the way for other scorers, such as Cameron Montgomery, to get going, and contribute 13 points for the Hurricanes.


The East Hamilton Hurricanes made a 3A Sub-State playoff appearance in the 2017-2018 season, before having to exit at the hands of Murfreesboro Riverdale. The Hurricanes played Riverdale again this season, Dec. 7, but fell short of a victory in that game 55-53.

 

The hiring of Coach Frank Jones has resonated well with the Hurricanes, because the team internalizes the motivation and has produced results beyond expectations. East Hamilton Seniors, Walker and Montgomery remember both losses, but continue to believe in the talent this team has. Walker and Montgomery have intentions of being relevant when it comes to the State playoffs, and if that includes having to face off with their coach’s son again, or even having to match up with Riverdale once more, then it’s a challenge these Hurricanes are willing to accept.

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