Big plays and rebounding big in win over Southport

By Rex Kirts

Dee Davis was masterful with 28 points, and Spencer Turner had 20 and Desmond Marks 12 points and 11 rebounds as South opened Conference Indiana play Friday with a 76-59 win over Southport.
A six-point sequence, a fiver and a four helped put down the visitors to J.R. Holmes' court. So did a 32-19 edge in rebounding, with Marks and sub Michael Bower leading the way. Bower had seven rebounds.
Once again, though, the Panthers had to weather a dry spell. A 17-point halftime lead shrunk to 10 when Southport scored the first seven points of the third quarter, and the lead was reduced to eight at 49-41 with 2:00 left in the period.
But Davis, who scored five straight points when the lead got down to 10 earlier, stuck a dagger in Southport with six points in a few seconds to boost the lead up to 55-41 and put South back in firm comand.
TO START THE six-point sequence, Davis hit a layup and free throw. He stole the inbounds pass and launched a 3 from the corner. Southport never recovered from that double whammy.
"I knew we needed a boost, making a run like they did," Davis said of the six-point burst.
Southport came at the Panthers pretty hard.
"Every game is going to be like that," Davis said.
The win was the 48th straight straight in regular season play, 25th straight in the conference and 36th straight at home.
Marks played one of his better games in posting his second straight double-double. It came after he missed practices during the week with a stomach problem.
"I need to pick up my rebounding," Marks said. "A double-double is my goal every game."
Bower, a junior, continues to excel as the team's sixth man. In addition to his seven rebounds he had four points and helped guard Michael Ramey, Southport's superb long-range shooter.
Speaking of Southport's rally in the third quarter, Bower said, "Basketball is a game of runs. You've got to take their best shot and finish them off."
TURNER HAD A HAND in the four-point and five-point play in the game. He made a free throw after being fouled on a 3-point basket, and he made two free throws after being fouled when Ben Stowell hit a 3-point shot.
Holmes said he wished the Panthers had played smarter at times.
"In spells we were good, but I was not impressed some times," Holmes said.
"We did a good job on Ramey (Stoll started out on him but got two quick fouls). Desmond is better, and Bower gives us energy.
"They (Southport) beat us down the floor in the second half. We got a little lazy."
The Panthers traveled to Terre Haute North Saturday night. Holmes said the Patriots (4-0) are the best team they will face up to this point.