Zebras’ defense sets tone in victory over Sheridan

When Pine Bluff High School traveled to Sheridan earlier this season, the Zebras had to grind out a win in a tight boys basketball game.

Friday night’s game in Pine Bluff was much different as the Zebras cruised to a 69-42 win against the Yellowjackets, snapping a two-game skid.

Pine Bluff Coach Billy Dixon said the Yellowjackets gave the Zebras a tough game when they met in Sheridan on Dec. 12, a 4844 Pine Bluff win.

“Tonight, I think the guys were locked and focused, and they played good basketball,” Dixon said. “Played great defense in the first half, and that’s what made the difference. They set the tone.”

Senior Randy Emerson Jr. led the Zebras (13-5, 6-2 in 5A-South) with 15 points. Courtney Crutchfield added 14, and Deriyon Graydon scored 10.

Sheridan (12-8, 2-6) junior Nathan Carter scored a game-high 18 points, while senior Addison Reynolds scored 13.

One of Sheridan’s top scorers, Noah Romine, scored 23 points when the Yellowjackets hosted Pine Bluff in December. The Zebras held him to 5 Friday night.

Crutchfield scored the game’s first four points, but Sheridan later took a 5-4 lead. The teams traded the lead for a couple of shots before Pine Bluff pulled away, finishing the first on a 15-4 run to lead 19-9. The Zebras held the Yellowjackets to 5 points in the second quarter and led 36-14 at halftime after finishing on a 12-2 run.

Sheridan started the second half by chipping away at the Pine Bluff lead. Reynolds scored 3 points in the first half but scored the Yellowjackets’ first 6 of the third quarter. Sheridan could only get it as close as 45-31 before the Zebras padded the lead to 52-33 at the end of the third. Sheridan never threatened Pine Bluff’s lead in the fourth.

The Zebras lost 66-57 to Benton and 74-63 to Lake Hamilton in their past two games.