LAUREL, Miss. – On January 16, 2025, the Southeastern Baptist College men's basketball team returned to action, hosting the Delgado Community College Dolphins in their first home game of the new year. In an intense matchup, the Chargers fell short despite a career-best performance from sophomore Johnny Sims.
The Chargers struck first, with Sims opening the scoring in the paint—a sign of the dominance he would display throughout the game. Sims led Southeastern Baptist with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, marking his best outing of the season. Following a strong freshman campaign, Sims was expected to be a key contributor this year, but he had struggled to find consistency until tonight.
"It's great to see Johnny step up like this," said head coach Geno White. "He showed tonight what he's capable of, and we'll need more of that from him moving forward."
First – Half Highlights
The game was competitive from the start, with both teams trading leads early. The score was tied at 15 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half before the Dolphins built their largest lead of the period at seven. However, the Chargers responded with a 12-2 run in the final five minutes to head into the locker room up 31-28.
Sims paced the Chargers in the first half with 8 points, while Steven Black added 5, and A'Donnis McGill, Keyshawn Johnson, Jacoby Robinson, and Garrison Breedlove contributed 4 each. Ayden McDeavitt rounded out the scoring with 2 points. Southeastern Baptist also showcased unselfish play, tallying 12 assists on 14 made baskets.
Second – Half Struggles
The Chargers extended their lead to 34-28 early in the second half, but the Dolphins clawed their way back, capitalizing on Southeastern Baptist's cold shooting from beyond the arc. The Chargers went just 3-for-14 from three-point range in the second half and finished the game 4-for-24 from deep.
Despite the shooting woes, the Chargers controlled the paint, outscoring Delgado 38-28 inside. Sims continued to lead the way with 15 points and 5 rebounds in the half, while the team maintained its ball-sharing philosophy, finishing the game with 21 assists on 25 made field goals.
Delgado's Major Gorgone proved to be a thorn in the Chargers' side, pouring in a game-high 28 points. Clayton Blackledge added a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, helping the Dolphins secure the win.
Coach White's Comments
After the game, Coach White expressed frustration with the team's inconsistency.
"We've yet to put two solid halves together this season," White said. "We either start strong and fade, or we come out flat and finish well. If we can play a full 40 minutes, we'll be able to compete in the region and down the stretch."
What's Next for the Chargers?
The Chargers, still searching for their first region win, will hit the road for a pivotal matchup against Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, Florida. Coach White and his team will look to snap their losing streak and build momentum heading into the heart of the season.
Tip-off in Jacksonville is set for 4:00 PM. Stay tuned for updates and follow the Chargers as they fight to turn their season around!
