In the seven years E'Jay Ward has headed up the Tyner Rams' basketball program two things have been the staple for the program: 20-win seasons and owning their home court.
On Saturday, the Rams moved another step closer to the 20-win plateau and once again defended the Ram Gymnasium as if it were gold hidden away inside Fort Knox. Tyner (14-3) withstood a valiant effort by rival Howard to post 69-57 victory, the Rams' 11th straight win over the Hustlin' Tigers inside the comfy confines of home. Howard hasn't won a game on the Rams' floor since the 2013 season in the fierce rivalry.
But given the 42-point loss Tyner pinned on Howard two weeks ago, Saturday's battle was a testament to the Hustlin' Tigers pride and resiliency as the visitors came out punching as Tyner misfired on seven of its first eight shots and the Tigers jumped to an 8-2 lead.
"They came out ready and yeah I think they came out physical and punching. It's a rivalry game and I would expect nothing less, but I thought we settled in and weren't intimidated by the start. I was pleased with the effort for the most part, and getting the win is what it's all about as we get to this stage of the season," said Ward, who has now won 58 of 67 home games since taking the helm seven seasons ago.
It was obvious from the tip, Howard had a plan to disrupt Tyner's diminutive freshman point guard Kohl Ward, but the slight guard had no back down in his game, scoring seven first quarter points and dishing assists on two others to get the Rams going.
"We did a poor job early in the game, so I just felt like I had to bring the energy. I don't let stuff get to me. I just tried to stay in rhythm and play for my guys," said Ward, who had 13 of his 17 points in the first half as the Rams led by 29-23 at the break.
Ward was also instrumental in helping force 12 first half turnovers by the Tigers.
The Rams went on an 11-1 run to close the third period to gain some cushion in the contest and it was Adarius Brewster who led that spark. Brewster, who joined the team after transferring in two games into the season, is starting to make his presence felt as he gets comfortable with his new teammates.
"He brought the juice today. We're a better team with him there. I think trying to fit into a new team and he has been a great teammate. He can flat out defend, and the best thing to do while trying to get acclimated to a new team is to show you want to play defense, and he has bought in," said Ward of the East Hamilton transfer.
Brewster blocked a shot early in the third period and took the ball coast-to-coast for a layup to make it 34-26 with 6:05 remaining in the stanza and in the final 3:22 added nine more points, including a big 3 with 45 seconds left to push it to 45-32.
"I've always been a defender because when I was younger I didn't handle the ball really well so I had to make my mark with defense, and as I've gotten better with the offense, I still want to bring the D when I'm out there," said Brewster, who finished with 15 points, his best offensive output since joining the Rams.
And then there was the junior phenom Rodney Henderson, who put up a season-high 29 on the Tigers despite a slow start in which he missed four three throws in the first quarter.
"I've worked hard to add to my game this year. My first year I was just a shooter, and then last year I scored and did some other things, but this year I want to do everything I can to make this team go," said Henderson, who had 15 points in the final period including an emphatic dunk down the lane with six seconds left to punctuate the effort.
"Rodney does so many little things that don't show up in the box aside from his scoring. He has really become a rebounder for us. He just goes and gets it when someone puts it up," added Ward of his leading scorer.
Tyner pushed the lead up to 56-36 in the final period and given the 80-38 beating two weeks ago, Howard coach James Tally had to be encouraged by the fight his Tigers brought in the final five minutes.
Howard's Jaylin Taylor played to the very end, scoring 12 of his 23 points down the stretch as the Tigers cut the deficit in half at 65-55 in the final 30 seconds. Myquise Thomas added 15 before fouling out early in the final period as the Tigers only had five turnovers in the second half. Free throws hurt both teams as Howard managed to hit nine of 22 and Tyner was just 17 of 31. The Rams did make nine of 12 in the final period though to stave off the rally.
Both squads shot around 42 percent with Howard making 21 of 50 from the floor and Tyner knocking in 24 of 58 shots.
Tyner girls 49, Howard 24:. The Lady Rams held the Lady Tigers without a bucket in the third period to break open a tight 19-15 halftime lead and outscored the visitors by 20 in the final half to cruise to their 14th victory. Tyner forced a dozen turnovers in the third period and allowed just a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 31-16 heading into the final period. Another 10 turnovers by Howard and 18 points down the stretch turned the outcome into a blowout.
Shy Williams led the Lady Rams with 15 points while Mariya Staton added nine and Jocelyn Brookins another eight. Howard was led by Tionna Robinson's eight points.
GIRLS SUMMARY
HOWARD 5 9 2 8 -- 24
TYNER 9 10 12 18 -- 49
HOWARD (24) -- Montgomery, Owens 7, Holloway 2, Shumake 3, Lockhart, Mathis 2, Hamilton 2, Robinson 8.
TYNER (49) -- Williams, Taylor 8, Shy Harrison 15, Brookins 8, Toney 3, Mitchell, Staton 9, Ellison 4, Hinton, Goosby 2.
3-point goals: Howard 1 (Robinson); Tyner 4 (Taylor 2, Toney, Staton)
Records: Howard 3-12 ; Tyner 14-7.
BOYS SUMMARY
HOWARD 11 12 9 25 -- 57
TYNER 15 14 16 24 -- 69
HOWARD (57) -- Jaylin Taylor 23, Daniels, Howell 15, Beene 6, Myquise Thomas 15, Beasley, McKevic 3, Bell 4, Terry, Morris 1.
TYNER (69) -- Allen, Rodney Henderson 29, Pinkerton, Adarius Brewster 15, Moore 3, Wilson, Harper 1, Dixson 4, Kohl Ward 17.
3-point goals: Howard 6 (Taylor 3, Howell, Thomas, McKevic); Tyner 4 (Ward 2, Moore, Brewster).
Records: Howard 8-10; Tyner 14-3.
(Contact James Beach at 1134james@gmail.com)