Tigers Varsity Basketball loses to Quincy’s Bobcats

Patricia Smith
ECB Publishing, Inc.

The bleachers were almost empty at Thursday night’s Jan. 6th basketball game with little community support to cheer on the Tigers team as they played against the Robert F. Munroe Bobcats. It was a challenging game for the Jefferson County Tigers basketball team, as they faced off against the Bobcats who have won nine out of 12 games this season. The Tigers held on for the first two periods, but quickly fell behind in the third period and suffered a home-game loss of 88-48 to the Bobcats.
The Tigers team traveled to Quincy earlier on in the season and played the Bobcats in November of 2021 but came home with a 36-point loss. The final score of that game was 67-31.
The team is having a rough season bringing in wins, but they are a young team that is playing older, more skilled, and much taller student athletes which poses inherent challenges when out on the court. The Tigers are showing a lot of determination, and this season has been good practice for the games they will partake in next season. Time will be on their side as they grow and learn together as a team.
Jefferson is scheduled to play the Chiles Timberwolves on Jan. 27 in Tallahassee and the Brookwood Warriors in Thomasville on Jan. 29. The Timberwolves have only won four out of nine games, the Warriors have won eight out of fifteen games, and the Tigers have won two out of ten games.
“I think we will have about seven more games to play this season,” said Jefferson’s Head Coach, Devan Roberts. It has not been easy for him to see the team bring in so many losses, but he is understanding with the young student athletes, who are eager to learn and play the game in preparation for future seasons to come.
When asked about the small attendance of fans from the community he explained, “Since being the defensive coordinator and defensive back coach at Jefferson back in 2018-2019, I knew accepting the head coaching role would be difficult at first since I’m not originally from Jefferson County. More like having to prove myself through success before they’re convinced, which is ok. I am motivated by the challenge to provide the correct resources needed to be successful. All I ask is that we come together for the kids’ sake to show that we’re supportive in their personal endeavors.”
Coach Roberts continues to demonstrate a patient, kind, and giving coaching style. Although he is not originally from Jefferson County, he is proving to be a valuable coach, teacher, mentor, and contributor to the community with his determination to improve the athletic program with strengths where there may be weaknesses. He would like to encourage and emphasize the importance of how the show of local community support for Jefferson County Schools’ sports teams makes a positive difference… even if they are not winning every game. The student athletes appreciate the attendance, cheers of local fans, and financial contributions of the modest entrance fees. Every little bit helps provide a positive environment that the student athletes will learn from and carry on with them into their future lives.