Hopkinsville Coach Tim Haworth has used 10 different starting lineups in his first 10 games of the season. The Tiger skipper is hopeful he will get to see the team he envisioned in the offseason taking the floor in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the Tigers continue to suffer from growing pains.
Jalen Johnson scored 24 points in his first action in over three weeks, but the Tigers fell to Mount Bethel Christian of Marietta, Georgia 77-62 in the first round of the Next Level Hoops Classic in Nashville.
Johnson scored 13 of his 24 points in the first half, but Mount Carmel was able to grab a 22-17 lead after one quarter and extend it to 44-32 by halftime.
Bryce Smith scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half, and Jacarius Burks joined them in double figures with 14 points.
While Mount Bethel has size in the middle, Haworth said their 9-of-20 effort from behind the arc made them a tough team to defend.
“I felt like we fought hard and played one of our best games, but they (Mount Bethel) are that good,” he said. “Even if we had everyone, it would have been a tough game.”
Stanley Eze, who has an offer from Wofford, led Mount Carmel with 22 points. Sophomore Jordan Meka, who has strong interest from Georgia and Georgia Tech, added 21 points.
Hopkinsville played without Andrew King and DeEvan Williams, who are likely out the rest of this week. Leading scorer James Nicholas will be out of action until the first week of January due to a foot injury, Haworth said.
Hopkinsville (4-6) will play Whitehaven of Memphis, who suffered their first loss in 10 games Wednesday to Brentwood Academy 55-49.