Rattlers stop Mystic Marlins, stay undefeated

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IN a matchup of unbeaten teams, the CI Gibson Rattlers staked an early claim as the GSSSA senior boys team to beat in a possible championship preview.

The Rattlers used a three-point barrage in the fourth quarter to pull away and hand the Mystic Marlins their first loss of the season (4-1).

CI Gibson improved to 6-0 behind a game high 20 points from Emmanuel Alexandre to lead three players in double figures. Kenvon Farrington scored 17 while Charles Joseph scored 11 and Daid Ambrose finished with seven. Joshua Burrows led the Mystic Marlins with 16 points, Brandon Francis scored 12, Matthew Saunders scored 11 and Antjuan McFarlane scored eight.

After the teams were separated by just a single point headed into the second quarter, the Rattlers bench, led by Joseph and Ambrose, sparked a late run to take a 31-23 lead into the half. They took a 44-38 lead into the fourth quarter. The Rattlers went on to make five of their seven three pointers in the fourth quarter, including three from Farrington on consecutive possessions to push the lead to 17. Ambrose scored on a putback to give the Rattlers a 40-59 lead with just under four minutes left to play. Burrows scored 11 for Marlins in the quarter as they attempted to keep pace. His pullup jumper to make the score 48-62 was answered by another Alexander three to put the game away for good as they maintained a double digit lead for the remainder of the contest.