Dallas County’s season ends with loss to Ramsay

Published 6:49 pm Thursday, February 26, 2015

Unable to score consistently against the size of Ramsay (26-5), the Hornets fell to the Rams 58-44 in a game all about defense. Dallas County (29-7) made only five field goals in the first half and finished the game 15-of-60.

“They did a very good job of creating defensive space,” said Dallas County coach Marty Smith, who was filling in for head coach Willie Moore. “They do a good job of stopping initial penetration and they block shots from the back side. They make you shoot over them.”

Dallas County made only five field goals in a low scoring first half and went into halftime trailing 15-13. Jerrod Moorer led a third quarter charge and when he got free in transition and rose for a dunk, he gave the defending 4A state champions their first lead of the second half and got the bench on its feet.

Moorer scored every point Dallas County had in the third quarter and finished the game with 26 points, but he was the only Hornet in double figures. Only three other Hornets — Raheem Phillips, Kendell Motley and Kareem Ross — made a field goal in the game.

The Rams seemed unfazed by Dallas County’s impressive start to the second half. Led by Jordan Millsap and Albert Luke, the Rams answered with a 16-5 run to take a 42-34 lead. Dallas County went cold again, scoring only 10 points the rest of the way. Many of those came in the final minutes when the game was out of reach.

Smith said the players were dedicating Thursday’s game to Moore, who did not make the trip to Birmingham. Moore, who is sick with the flu, is also battling the effects of diabetes as well.

Smith said several of the players wrote “Win it for Slick,” Moore’s nickname, on their shoes before the game.

“This is coach Moore’s program. I was just filling in today for him,” Smith said. “These kids that fought for him these last four years — these six seniors. If you don’t think he’s a huge part of their lives then you’re crazy. That’s my brother from another mother for the last 20 years and for him not to be here he’s hurting.”

The game started with neither team able to make a shot. Almost four minutes went off the clock before Moorer knocked down a three-pointer and the game stayed close the remaining portion of the first half.

Ramsay started slow, making just 7-of-23 shots in the first half. Dallas County rallied from a 21-14 deficit in the third behind a big quarter from Moorer, who had a three-point play and minutes later gave the Hornets energy with a big dunk. With their season on the line, the Rams got hot in the third quarter. Ramsay made 12-of-21 shots in the second half for a blistering 57.1 percent. The Rams also outrebounded the Hornets 43-34, which was enough to overcome losing the turnover battle 15-9.

“Ramsay played their rear ends off,” Smith said. “We missed too many layups. Layups were the difference in the ballgame.”