Veal wins Patriots' debut

MUSCLE SHOALS - Four players scored in double figures as Northwest=Shoals overcame a sluggish start to defeat Jackson State (Miss.) 72-58 in Scott Veal's debut as the Patriots head coach.

Patrick Powell scored a team-high 16 points, while Dominique Bonman added 13 points and six rebounds.

Milton Curry and Jermaine Hooks each added 10 points for the Patriots, who held a 32-30 lead at the half.

"We really came out sloppy, but we rebounded nicely in the second half," Veal said. "It really seemed like nothing was falling for us early in the game, so once we were able to grab some momentum we were able to ride it to the win."

Freshman point guard Adam McCarley had six points and 10 assists in the win, an unexpected performance Veal referred to as "key" in the Patriots win.

"Coming into the game we pretty much knew what we expected out of most of our guys," he said. "Adam McCarley really exceeded expectations, though. He did a great job managing the game, and was able to play significant minutes. Any time you get an unexpected boost like that you are going to be pleased."

While getting his first win was nice, Veal insisted he would not be dwelling on the victory.

"Getting the first win is always a relief, but there is no time to dwell on one win," he said. "We have an entire season to prepare for. Tonight gives us a little momentum heading into the season, but there is plenty of work to be done."

Olajuwon Kemp had 15 points in the loss for Jackson State.

Northwest-Shoals 82, Jackson State 42 (W): Four of the Patriots' five starters hit for double figures in a successful season-opener for Kristy Ward's team.

The Patriots ran out to a 48-19 lead in the first half and never were threatened while dominating the game on both ends of the floor.

"It was a good opening win for us," Ward said. "We came out with a lot of intensity and and we played hard."

China McDaniel led the Patriots with 17 points and eight rebounds in 19 minutes. Nikkia Jordan came off the bench to score 13 points, while ReRe Bell added 11 points. Erin Parrish and Jasmine Horne finished with 10 points apiece.

Jessica Parker's 14 points and nine rebounds paced Jackson State, which shot only 28 percent from the floor and failed to hit a 3-point shot in nine tries.

Ward was happy with what she called a "good defensive effort."

"I think our pressure got to them in the first half," she said. "I'm happy with the way we played."

The Patriots are at Northeast-Mississippi on Thursday and home Saturday against Chattanooga State at 1 p.m.