The JV Jacks suffered a disappointing loss at home on Friday against the JV Tigers of Independence High School. Bogalusa fought back from a first-quarter deficit, but Independence made a crucial free throw in the final seconds of the game to capture a 28-27 win on the road.

“Free throws hurt us in this one,” said Bogalusa JV coach Landon TIms. “We played well enough to win in every phase of the game except from the line.”

The JV Jacks went just five of 14 for the game at the charity stripe.

The JV Tigers shot well in the first quarter to build a 14-6 lead. Bogalusa adjusted in the second quarter and ratcheted up the defense, holding Independence scoreless until the final minute of the period. A 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer by sophomore Jakeithen Graves lifted the spirits of the JV Jacks and cut the lead to 18-15.

In the third quarter Bogalusa pulled within one, 21-20, after a pair of free throws from Lorenzo James. Independence answered on its next possession with a basket, but another big 3-pointer by Graves tied the game at 23. The score remained that way heading into the fourth.

The JV Jacks took their first lead of the night, 25-23, on a steal and layup by freshman Demetri Baham. Just over a minute later, an offensive rebound and putback by James made it a 27-25 game. Undeterred, Independence tied it again with 1:22 remaining on a shot by Ashton Spears, who led the JV Tigers and all scorers on the night with 10 points.

The JV Jacks turned the ball over on their next possession, and Independence took the opportunity to hold for a final shot. With the clock winding down the JV Tigers missed a long jumper but grabbed the rebound and drew a foul. The shooter made just one of two, but with only two seconds remaining, Bogalusa didn’t have enough time to get down the court for a shot. The buzzer sounded, giving Independence the 28-27 win.

“I was pleased with our team defense on the outside tonight,” said Independence JV coach Sporty Davis. “Both teams played very hard, and Bogalusa has some good players, but our athleticism and defense saved us tonight.”

Lorenzo James led the JV Jacks with 8 points on the night; Jakeithen Graves scored 6; Kenny Robertson scored 4; Demetri Baham and Cedric Porter scored 3 each; Rashad Burnette scored 2; and Tyran Holliway scored 1.

In addition to Spears’ 10, Marcus Powell scored 5 for Independence; Chandon Spears and Christian Anthony each scored 4; Jude Perrin and Jarvis Baham each scored 2; and Juquale Hudson scored 1.