PrimeTime Players defeat Lycans in home opener
2/25/2020by Chris Thomas

PrimeTime Players hosted their 2020 home opener against the expansion team High Point Lycans in front of a near capacity crowd at the Banks Street Gym. This is the 30th season of PrimeTime Players basketball and the team held a special HOF presentation for five of their all-time greats: Earlex Green, Michael Sims, Bobby Isom, Jody Patton, and Letrasky Pressley all being honored for and joining the PrimeTime Players Hall of Fame.

Once the game started the Lycans came out ready to play jumping out to a quick 10-2 lead with Ryan King from High Point blocking away two quick shots and altered numerous more that led to quick baskets on the other end for the guards. Midway through the first quarter, second-year guard Zeriq Lolar (6'2''-G, college: Wingate) started to find his shot, knocking down all eight shots and scoring 23 first quarter points to help PrimeTime gain a 12-point lead. It didn't last though as Artavius Love (6'4''-G) and Tre McLean combined for 10 quick points in a nice run to cut the lead to only 36-30 at the end of the quarter.

Opening the second quarter PrimeTime Players came out quick extending the lead to 50-36 after back-to-back baskets by Jarret Johnson, but again the High Point Lycans battled back with good interior defense by King and the transition play of Love and McLean who combined for 14 down the stretch. After consecutive three pointers by Kenard Moore (6'2''-PG, college: SEMO) the visitors had a chance to take the lead after a steal by Moore, but his three at the buzzer came up short and PrimeTime took at 66-65 lead into the half.

The second half PrimeTime came out aggressive on defense and Lolar again caught fire from the outside scoring 18 in the third quarter alone as PrimeTime was able to push the lead up to as many as 22. Over the next quarter both teams played even with PrimeTime able to fend of the visitors as they were unable to threaten a comeback in the second half.

Tre McLean finished with his second triple-double of the season with 14 point, 17 assists and 12 rebounds for High Point while Artavius Love added 30 points and 8 rebounds.

PrimeTime Players stats: Lolar 45 points, 3 steals; Britton 9 points, 12 rebounds; Heath 17 points, 13 rebounds; Johnson 15 points, 3 rebounds; Moore 19 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds; Murray 14 points, 8 assists; Pratt 11 points, 7 rebounds; Turner 15 points, 17 rebounds