Hoops: Thomas Jefferson boys search for first win after falling to Hazen

Despite only being down three points going into the fourth quarter, the Raiders couldn’t find a way to topple the Highlanders.

By Benjamin Ray • December 22, 2023 4:30 pm

Starting off a season 0-6 is never what anyone envisions the day they step foot on the court for that first day of practice. But that nightmare has become a reality for the Thomas Jefferson High School boys basketball players as they had an opportunity to get in the win column Dec. 21 against Hazen at home.

That harsh reality struck again, this time like a dagger to the heart as the Raiders fell apart late against the Highlanders, losing 65-53 and going to 0-7.

“We’re right there. I’m telling these guys that we’re really close to getting over the hump. But it seems like we just make too many mistakes,” Head Coach Daryon James said.

This was a game the Raiders had a chance to win just looking at their records. The Highlanders entered with a 1-5 record matched up with the 0-6 Raiders.

Thomas Jefferson was in this game till the end, Alex Le was a huge spark for the Raiders in the first half with 12 points on four three-pointers. His two in the first quarter cut the Hazen led to just two in the first quarter and at halftime Thomas Jefferson was behind by just five points. “I liked how we showed up and I liked that we’re fighting. But I think we just have to be a bit more mentally tough,” James said.

So far this season the Raiders closest taste of a victory before tonight was three weeks ago on Dec. 5 in a five-point loss to Decatur.

In the second half Josias Kpontont proved a huge spark for the Raiders scoring 11 points in the second half. After breaking team rules and having come off the bench Kpontont looked to breathe life into the Raiders. “We expect a lot out of Josias. Normally he starts but he had some personal issues and missed practice. But we expect him to make a huge impact for us. He’s our senior captain and should be our leader. He’s been doing that so far, “James said.

Going into the fourth quarter Thomas Jefferson trailed by just three points and could taste their first win of the season. The intensity of the gym rose, and the atmosphere provided a feeling that these athletes deserved. But Hazen’s Jaiden Damus’ 12 points in the quarter, partnered with self-inflicted wounds turned the tide of that fourth quarter took the air out of the building. “We’re down three or four points in the fourth quarter and we have too many turnovers,” James said.

Keeping a locker room motivated while being 0-7 is no easy task. James’ focus is on trying to get the Raiders to believe they are as close to winning as the coaching staff knows they are. “The fact that we are so close, we just lost another close one. A lot of guys haven’t been in close games, so they don’t have late game- crunch time experience. Which is when the mistakes come in,” James said.

Working to find that right play, that piece to fit the puzzle at the end of games is on James’ mind. That’s what will get Thomas Jefferson’s team its first win this season. “They know that they are close. We are just searching for what exactly will be our go-to will be at the end of the game,” he said.