Florence Falcon Basketball vs Muscle Shoals 12/02/25

[0:00] It's time for Florence Falcons Basketball on Sports Radio 93.9 The Score. Florence Falcons Basketball on 93.9 The Score is brought to you by Florence Utilities, Florence City Schools, the law firm of Johnson, Paschure, Medley and Birchall, Lost Pizza, North Alabama Bone and Joint Clinic, TNT Fireworks, Yogurt Mountain, Whataburger, Singing River Dentistry, Bank Independent, Irons Electric, Cypress Creek Indoor Range, and Hennigar Johnson and Layton Insurance. Now let's go live to courtside. Here's the voice of the Falcons, Kevin Johnson. A night in Florence, Alabama, everyone looks forward to. Florence and Muscle Shoals. It doesn't matter the sport, but tonight it's basketball in the coffee gym and it's going to be fun, that is for sure.

Glad to be with you tonight on the TNT Fireworks pregame show of Florence Falcons Basketball. I'm joined by my color analyst, Mike Albertson. And Mike, Florence and Muscle Shoals, it's just fun when these two schools get together. There's electricity, there's energy. It's what a high school rivalry is supposed to be like. Absolutely. You know, it doesn't matter whether it's here at the coffee gym or across the river at Muscle Shoals. This matchup is always electric. The crowd's always into it. And these two communities coming together to root on their players.

You know, there's nothing better that we get to see each and every year than this matchup. I think the biggest thing for tonight is that both teams are still finding their footing. One, for Florence, finding their footing after a tough schedule. Muscle Shoals finding their footing because it's their first game because most of their guys play football. So it's going to be interesting. I think it'll be a competitive game. But for either team, it's a big game tonight. Oh, absolutely. You know, anytime these teams get together, it is quite fun.

But, you know, Florence has been working real hard this year. Muscle Shoals coming in. You know, it's going to be a great matchup. Now we're joined courtside by the head coach of the Florence Falcons, Coach Dylan Burleson. And Coach, tonight, Florence, Muscle Shoals, it's as fun as it gets. It's as fun as it gets. This is all that's right about high school basketball. I mean, it is what it is. Gym's packed. Guys are pumped. Guys are ready. We're ready and excited to get after it. Is it a little difficult preparing for Muscle Shoals knowing that this is their first game coming out of football?

Definitely. We have had to rely on some of the stuff and some of the film that we watched from last year. And they have some new guys that we have not seen on film yet. So that's going to be an adjustment that we're going to have to make early and get settled in and get ready to go. I know you want to play with energy, but you've got to control your emotions, too. Do you talk to your team about both of those things? Control what you can control. Keep the main thing the main thing and get to the next play.

If we can do that, we'll be in a good spot come the end. Key for your team tonight. Be us. We are not where we want to be right now record-wise. And as much as that hurts me to say right now, accountability is accountability. I have not done my job. We're going to get back to doing our job tonight, but we've got to be us. We have not been us in some aspects or some situations the last couple of games. It's about being of us and getting back to playing Florence basketball.

Coach, we wish you the best, okay? Appreciate it. Head coach of the Florence Falcons. You're listening to the TNT Fireworks pregame show, Florence Falcons basketball. We're back in one minute. Flavor is calling at Lost Pizza Company Shoals. Introducing the new limited-time-only margarita pizza. Fresh basil, fine-ripened tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella pearls on our homemade crust. Light, bright, and bursting with flavor. Try our all-new dry-rub wings. Seasoned to perfection with bold, smoky spices. It'll have you coming back for more. Don't forget dessert. Cotton Blue's Cheesecake Slices are here.

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Bank Independent. We're invested in your future. Member FDIC. Back at the Coffee Gym TNT Fireworks pregame show here on 93.9 The Score. You're home for Florence Falcons Athletics and Florence Falcons Basketball tonight. Kevin Johnson, Mike Albertson, courtside for this one. It's going to be fun. A big, big crowd here tonight, Mike. And, you know, in the girls game, most of those ones at the last little bit, the last few minutes to pull out a victory. But even in that game, there was a lot of energy, a lot of excitement.

Both student sections are here. Energy's here. This is what high school basketball is supposed to be like. And it's supposed to be a lot of fun. And I think these two teams respect each other enough, each other, and they'll get after it. Oh, absolutely. You know, when these two teams get together, the crowd's always great. The fans are into it. The student sections are really bold and loud. And I wouldn't expect anything less tonight. The Coffee Gym's going to be rocking. Yeah, it should be a great night tonight.

[5:18] Florence, maybe a little bit of a change tonight. Bringing up a freshman from the JV squad, Zy Burnett, will be playing some tonight. You'll hear his name out there. Trying to just, you know, jumpstart the team. Offensively, it's probably one of the areas where Coach Burlington's really said, hey, we've got to get some scores to get the ball in the bucket. Defensively, we'll be there. Got to find that third and fourth score. Right. You know, we know what we're getting with with J.C. on and J. Shaw.

They've really, you know, towed the line here for Florence so far this year. But finding those extra scores, those guys that are going to be coming off the bench and really having an impact, it's going to be huge here for the Falcons to find those guys that are going to contribute down the line. Yeah, veteran officiating crew here running this one again tonight. Everything's done well here. It's going to be a fun night. And no matter what, this is a good game for both teams because in this game for both teams, it will make both teams better going forward.

Oh, absolutely. You know, when you play a matchup like this, you know, it's high intensity, high pressure. You know, big, loud crowd, intensity, all that stuff. It only helps you down the road, especially when those pressure situations happen in those area games. Well, I tell you what, it's going to be fun tonight. We're looking forward to it. You're listening to the TNT Fireworks pregame show, Florence Dawkins basketball. We're back in one minute. Hey, Falcon fans. This is Keith at Cypress Creek Indoor Range. At Cypress Creek Indoor Range, we prepare you to provide your own safety.

Cypress Creek Indoor Range team provides you with the knowledge and the right equipment to defend yourself and family. And our state-of-the-art indoor shooting range gives you the perfect place to practice. You can take your skills to the next level through our extensive training classes or private lessons. At Cypress Creek Indoor Range, your safety is our number one priority. 50-60, Highway 157, or on the web at cypresscreekrange.com. Irons Electric has been family-owned and operated for 65 years. Irons Electric is deeply rooted in the Florence High School tradition and is happy to be a part of many past projects, including the recently completed new band room.

Irons Electric Company was voted the number one electrical contractor in 2023. Our professional team on staff and master electricians provide the expertise to make sure your project is installed per code to operate safely and flawlessly. From small residential jobs to large commercial projects, call Irons Electric at 256-766-3870. You won't be shocked by their reputation. Welcome back to the TNT Fireworks pre-game show. Florence Falcons basketball, KJ and MA with you today. Hope you're enjoying this one tonight on 93.9 The Score. It's only about 29 degrees outside, so just cozy up and get that cup of coffee or hot chocolate, turn on the fireplace and pull up a chair and listen to the game.

And hope you enjoy this one tonight here on your home for Falcon basketball, 93.9 The Score. It may be cold outside, but one thing is that Falcons are looking for some heat on this court, offensively especially. And, Mike, the best way to do that is through a good defense. How does this Falcon defense really need to help this offense? You know, really it comes down to winning every possession, staying in your lanes, you know, really making it difficult and really dictating to the opposing offense the shots that you want them to take.

Keep them outside, you know, keep that ball outside the key. You're going to have a pretty good job of keeping that shot percentage down for the other team. We've talked about this Falcons team a couple times already. You know, size is not there this year, not as much as it has been. 6'2", 6'3", maybe even a 6'4", but not your 6'6", 6'7", 6'8", guys. And you're playing against opponents night in, night out. You're going to be undersized in the paint. It's going to be so important for this Falcon team to rebound, to box out, and to play smart against those larger teams.

I mean, it comes down to fundamentals. You know, those teams that are undersized, they have to do all the little things right. You know, and Coach talks about, you know, having that hard hat mentality, that blue-collar workmanship. Being able to get in there and do those little things to help your team win is going to be supremely important when you're outsized like that. Well, both teams are still warming up here, and I think it will be a fun night tonight. Also shows playing their first game of the season coming off the football run that they had to the semifinals.

Congratulations to Scott Basin and his team for one of their better seasons ever. And, you know, this Falcon team had a great run in football as well with Kenny Marson. They had a little late start to it as well. But Florence has played tough competition, but they haven't come out with a victory yet. And I know that's really eating at this team a little bit and the coaching staff. But, man, when you look at the competition they played, the Huntsville's and the Bunkhorns and the Auburn, I mean, goodness gracious, Spartan twice, they have played some tough competition.

That's only going to make them better going far, too. Oh, absolutely. You know, the better competition you play, you know, that rising tide is going to raise all the votes. So the Florence team, while they don't have all the experience in the world, they have experience playing against really tough teams, and it's made this team better. When it goes on, we should see continuous improvement. That's all you could ask for at this rate. Our next broadcast will be Friday night on the road at James Clemens, Lord willing.

[10:28] And eyes working and everything else working, we hope to be there for that. And we bring that to you here on 93.9 The Score. We're looking forward to it. Meanwhile, we're going to take another time out. You're listening to the TNT Fireworks pregame show of Florence Falcons basketball. We're back in three minutes. This is Miranda Haddock with the Florence Education Foundation. We invite you to support our Friends of the Foundation campaign. As a friend of the foundation, you can contribute any amount to help fund classroom needs in Florence City schools.

Please visit our website at FlorenceEducationFoundation.org to explore our new giving levels and the added perks available. We want to wish Coach Burleson and the entire Falcon basketball team good luck this season. Getting the kids to practice on time. Remembering if it's your day to bring snacks. Making it to the game with a clean jersey. Why are simple things sometimes so complicated? Thankfully, with auto owners, insurance doesn't have to be one of them. Auto owners works with independent agents who answer when you call. So you can worry about more important things.

Like whether your kid is going to run toward first or third base. That's simple human sense. In Florence, see Luke Brown at Hinderger Johnson & Layton Insurance. Call 256-764-8682. Hello, my name is Keith Medley and I'm an attorney with the law firm of Johnson, Passuer, Medley & Burchell. Why call an out-of-town lawyer when you can call our law firm, which has over 100 years of combined experience in all areas of the law. If you have a legal matter, please call me or Leslie Johnson, Deborah Bell, Passuer, Adam Burchell at 256-766-3131.

We're proud to be a sponsor of Florence High School Athletics. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. Hi, I'm Dr. Brady Citizen with Treehouse Children's Dentistry. Our teens in Tuscumbia, Killen, and Madison are so excited to welcome you and your family to our treehouse. We know that choosing a dental home can be a stressful experience. That's why at Treehouse Children's Dentistry, we've created an environment that kids and parents love.

Our team is experienced in caring for every child, from infants to teenagers to children with special needs. Call one of our three locations today or visit our website at treehousedentist.com. We're so excited to see you soon at Treehouse Children's Dentistry, a branch of Singing River Dentistry. Florence Utilities now offers new bill pay options. Sign up for paperless, auto pay, text pay, and more to make your life easier. When you go green and go paperless, you'll no longer have paper bills filling up your mailbox, and you'll be helping the environment.

Sign up for text pay. Bill notifications go directly to your phone by text. Click the link and easily view and pay your bill. To take advantage of these convenient ways to view and pay your utility bill, visit FlorenceAL.org, frontslashenroll, or call 760-6512 for more information. Starting lineup time here at the Coffee Gym. Kevin Johnson, Mike Albertson with you. Let's bring you the starting lineup first for the Trojans and Muscle Shows. Coached by Neil Barker, one of the best coaches in the state as well. QVay Foster will get the start.

Wears number one, along with Cam Hogan, who wears number two. K.J. Cowan, who wears number three, will get a start. Colin Smith will wear number four, be a starter, and Jamariah and Draper. So, one, two, three, four, five will get the start for Neil Barker's Trojans. That's Foster Hogan's Cowan Smith and Draper, and Draper are really good on the inside, a big player at 6'4", 6'5". So, they've got some size advantage over Florence. That'll be a key to watch tonight as well. Trojans wearing black uniforms, red trim, white numbers.

It was good to watch Neil Barker and young Dylan Burleson talk pregame, two of the best coaches in the state, bringing their team together in this great rivalry. Two really good guys in basketball, that's for sure. Here's the starting lineup for the Florence Falcons. Jason Yon Payne, 5'10", will get the start for the Falcons. He is a senior. Jason Yon Payne, 5'9", a senior, will get the start as well. He'll wear number two. Number four, Cage Roy, will get the start at one of the far positions.

Six-foot-two, Roy will be in the lineup. You'll have to play bigger than that. Jaden Irons will play the post at six, two and a half. A junior wears number 13. And starting the freshman tonight, Zaleon Burnett. So, Zaleon Burnett will get the start. We're number 14. He has the wristbands whited up a little bit. Falcons in the white uniforms. Blue numbers. Blue checks down the side. Buckle up, everyone. Florence and Muscle Shoes. Let's have fun. This one will be good before a packed house here tonight at the coffee gym.

[15:47] Florence will be going right to left as you listen. Muscle Shoes left to right. Mike, one last thing. What does Florence have to do really well early on? All the little things. I know that sounds a little too cliche, but they've got to do all the little things right. You know, they've really struggled thus far in being able to get in and really get themselves playing their game is going to be key. Boggans out of bounds. Last touch by the Trojans. It'll be with Florence. The arrow stays with white.

The arrow stays with white because Muscle Shoes got it and didn't lose it. That's a good call by the official. Right. So they attain possession, and the possession arrow stays with Florence. And now a little question about that. I think they're wanting to make sure of that, and they got it right. So Florence will have possession arrow too, even though they get the ball after they've got the turnover. Inbounds comes to J.C. on pain. Gets the man-to-man pressure of Muscle Shoes. Pearson into the paint.

Kicks it in the corner. Baseline. Drive hard. Basket up no good by Burnett. Knocked out of bounds. Last touch by the Falcons. We'll go back to the Trojans. Burnett's not shy as a freshman. Loved that aggression out of the freshman right away. Taking it hard along the baseline to the basket. Went up hard with authority. Just came up short, but great out of the freshman right away. It's actually Falcons basketball. J.C. on pain. Double-team had it stolen away. Pocket-picked by Hogan. Gets it down the floor quickly.

The Draper goes up. Laid it up. No good. Dunked no. And the follow-up is good. D.B. Foster. The follow-up two-hand jam. Florence throws to the other end. It goes out of bounds. Turn over Florence. So both teams coming out, playing hard. Turnover by both teams. The follow-up dunked by Foster. That's the difference in the game right now. Two-to-zero. Muscle Shoals breaks the press. Quickly down the floor. Layup off the glass. No good. Rebound on the back side. Taken by the Trojans. Throw it outside. Threw it away.

Last touch. It goes back to Muscle Shoals. And rebounding's going to be the key. This is a leaping team. They've got size, and they get up in their long length. Muscle Shoals. This Muscle Shoals team has a lot of players from last year's team. They were a very good team last year, and they look as athletic and a little bit quicker than they were. Baseline move. Goes up. Right-hand layup. Would not go. Rebound tipped around. Taken down again by Cowan. Goes up. Puts it in. He misses on one end.

Puts it in on the other. Florence trails at four to zero here. 6.54 to go. Pearson. Top of the key here. Picked up by Hogan's. Gets it to the right side to Burnett. Between the legs dribble. Crossover dribble. Looks picked up the dribble. Gets it to Payne for three in the corner. That one wouldn't go. Rebound by Roy of Florence. Back out to Pearson. Open. Three on the way. Yes, sir! Jace shot Pearson. Drains the three. Ball knocked out of bounds. And maybe make sure that fans stay back behind.

The line. They got something come out of the floor. So that's what it is. They had an artificial noisemaker. And that's not allowed. And a step on the sideline. That's not allowed either. Turnover of Muscle Shoals. So that's a pretty good call right there. Yeah, that was a good break there for the Falcons. Muscle Shoals player just lost his way. Maybe those artificial noisemakers and that ESPN sign in baseline confuse them a little bit. Maybe they're a little nervous. Inbounds to Burnett, the freshman. His first start ever at the varsity level.

Top of the key. Way up top high. Gets it to Payne. Boy, Muscle Shoals is all on every player. They do a really good job of checking. Payne, hesitation. In the lane. Nowhere to go. Turns, fade. Shot up. Got it. Florence takes a 5-4 lead. Florence will pick up man-to-man. That was a great job by Jaden Irons to pin his defender down underneath the basket. Giving Jace on a nice look at the basket. Deep three from the right side. No good by the Trojans. Rebound tipped out of bounds.

Last touch by Florence. It will stay with Muscle Shoals. And that's going to be the key. You're playing man-to-man. But, boy, it's not just a tall team. It's an athletic team, the Muscle Shoals. They're very impressive looking. Impressive, athletic, strong. All the adjectives. Shot blocked by Burnett from behind. Retained, though. They have a Cowan. Now it's on the floor. Burnett's fighting for it. On the floor and taken away by Pearson. Pearson has it on the right side. Keeps it in the backcourt and said, let's settle it down.

Lawrence leads at 5-4. Pearson off the right side. Gets the high screen with a two-man game with Irons. Goes cross court to Burnett. Burnett says, nope, don't want that one there. Pulls it back. He's picked up there by Cowans. Now he gets rid of it to Irons. Irons tries to spin against Draper. Can't do it. Still outside the three-point line. Burnett, hard to the basket. He's fouled going to the basket. He's got a little step right there. He does. He has a quick first step. A natural left-hander.

Definitely has a bit of a burst. Definitely impressive as a young man. 5-31 to go. 5-4. Lawrence leads it. Inbounds pass to Burnett. At the right wing. Top of the key to Payne. Payne now to Irons. At the elbow. Irons tries to drive against Draper. Lost it. Got it back. Put it up. Put it in. What a tough shot. Irons giving up four or five inches of height. And a steal. Payne for three. Yes. Back to back. And a quick five points right there. And Florence leads it 10-4.

[21:15] The press working for Florence. Trojans bringing up the floor. Smith has it. Smith gets a step. Lost it. Ball to the floor. Ball to the floor. Payne gets the steal right now. Florence quicker to the basketball. The speed of Florence making a difference. Yeah, you could tell. You know, this Muscle Shoals team, you can see that as far as the first quarter goes, they're a little winded and such. Getting some of these football players back into basketball shape is going to be a challenge for them.

One of their first games back after their football season. Gavin Parrish in for the Trojans. The sports coat is off already for head coach Dylan Burleson. At the five-minute mark, Florence leads it 10-4. It's a little warm in here. I can understand. Pearson picks up the dribble. Lobs it over to Irons. Irons, top of the key, can handle it pretty well. Boy, Muscle Shoals, I mean, they're fighting for every possession. Pearson has it now. Pearson behind the back, between the legs. Skip in the lane. Floater.

Good. Florence coming out hot. Leaves it 12-4. The pressure still giving Muscle Shoals fits. They get into bounds finally. In backcourt, Foster has it. He'll hand it off to the point guard. Bringing it up the floor. Will be Cowards. Goes to the right. Got the high screen. Goes in. Lay up. Put it up. No good, but he was fouled. He'll shoot free throws. That was the right call there. That's on Irons. He is first. Team's first. Tylan Smith was able to use the screen early on to get away from his defender.

The help defense came along and fouled him on his way up to the basket. Smith actually going out. I call the job with Smith to the basket. Tylan Smith misses the first free throw. End of the game for Florence. It'll be Skipworth and Jones. Skipworth wears number three, Tamari and Skipworth. And Taylin Jones, number zero, is a sophomore, 6-1. You'll never see Jones' number because he has that long ponytail in the back. Both free throws no good and rebound taken by Irons, who is really doing a good job of boxing out.

Great job using his body underneath the basket. With a much taller player, he's really getting the work underneath the basket. Payne to Jones. Back to Payne for three. Short, no good. Rebound inside by Jones. Put it up. No good, but he's fouled. The two-man game was beautiful. And what a job by Taylin Jones to wait and draw the contact. Great job by Jones to pump fake, get the defender off the ground, as he was coming down, got the contact. Almost made that an end-to-one situation, but he's going to be shooting two here.

Foster picked up the foul. Free throws by Jones. First one good. And I was really impressed by watching Jones in that very first game that I got to see them play. Him coming off the bench as a sixth man, it's a really solid move there by Coach Carlson. Second free throw. Missed out with no good. Rebound taken down by the Trojans. Draper. Draper gets it to the point guard now. Hogan's picked up by Irons. So Irons placed the five spot. Now he's playing the guard, and he pushed him out the high side, and that's two.

He can't do that. Yeah, he was a little slow on the take, so he put his hand out there, a little hand check into the hip. It wasn't a great matchup for him, and he was about to get blown by. He cheated with the hand a little bit and got the easy foul. Javion Lewis will come in and take the place of Irons, who gets two fouls at the four-minute mark. Florence leads it 13-4. Deep corner three for multiple throws up. Bouncing off the top. No good.

Rebound taken down by Florence. Skipworth got the rebound. Pearson is hounded in the back and fouled by Foster. Foster was all over Pearson. And Jay Shod doesn't back down from anybody. 6'5", 6'1", 5'8", 6'7". He don't care. He will go after anybody, and he knows who he is. Absolutely. You know, he's played a lot of varsity basketball, and he's matched up against some of the best in the state that the state has to offer. So, there's not too many opponents that are going to outmatch him.

Foster picked up his second foul. Jay Shodish Stamples will come in for the Trojans. Back court with it is Skipworth. Skipworth trying to get across the line. He's in trouble. Gets across the mid-court stride and goes and steps on the sideline. That's a good defense right there. Talon just kept hounding him, hounding him, and nobody came to his help and assistance. Well, he's kind of riding his hip the whole time, too. Very easily could have been shoved out of bounds there. I don't necessarily agree with that call.

He didn't step out of bounds on his own volition. Left sideline. Multishow's perished. Gets it down to the corner. They lob it inside. Tried a double-team. Good triple-team inside. Shot put up. No good. Rebound tipped around. Goes out of bounds. Should go to Florence, and it does. Last touch by the Trojans. Draper. The boy Draper got that one inside. And he was triple-teamed, and that's what Florence has to do against the bigger team sometimes. Pearson backcourt. Picked up by Cowens. Pearson's going to be pushed 94 feet all night long.

[26:25] Boy, these two guys are quick. But Pearson lost it going out of bounds. Cowens lost his foot. Pearson lost the ball. A battle of the number twos. Yeah, it's going to be a matchup all night. Those two are going to be battling it out on the defensive side. Hogan's, that is it. I think Cowens, it's Hogan's that was the one. Hogan's is really quick. Both two players were number two. In the corner, Parrish, one of the three. He didn't take it. Back out. Swing around. Hogan's does to the right side.

Drive baseline. It's sample off. It went up with a wild shot. No good, but he got his own rebound. Now he doesn't know what to do with it. Back out to Parrish. Top of the key. Wide open. Hogan's three. Hits nothing. Just the backboard. Outlet pass from Florence. Goes down to court. Got it to Pearson. Euro step. Reverse layup. No good. Rebound. Yanked away by Florence. Three on the way by Payne. Good. Eight in the corner for Payne. And Florence leaves it 54. And what a rebound there by Jones.

He wouldn't let that one go away. Here comes the Trojans. Draper in the lane. In the paint. Double team. Kicked it back out. Driving in and a push. That's going to be on Jones. But, Mike, that last play was made by the effort for a rebound in there. Jones going down and grabbing the rebound and yanking it away and giving it back out. And there was Payne for three. Yeah. Pearson came up and under. And, you know, with the little attempt there. Great job of getting offensive glass.

Kicking it out to Payne for the three. Time out on the floor. We'll do the same. Florence leads it 54. Falcon basketball is back in 30. Thanks for choosing Whataburger. What can I get started for you? At Whataburger, each meal is made to order, so you can always get exactly what you crave. If that's a Whataburger What-A-Meal, you got it. But, if you're in the mood for something a little more you, like a Whataburger with grilled onions, crispy bacon, and creamy pepper sauce, go for it. March to the beat of your own drum.

Bite into the beef of your own Whataburger creation. Whataburger. Just like you like it. 1554 Florence Boulevard. The voice of the Florence High School Falcons. WYTK-FM. Rogersville. Athens. Decatur. The Shoals. 93-9. The score. 2-27 to go in the first quarter. Florence leads it 16-4. I cheated the Falcons a point. Trojan with the basketball. In the lane. Draper. A loud shot. No good. Tipped up at endo. That was Draper coming over the back after Cowan missed the shot. Put it in. 16-6. Payne gets by his defender. Comes to the left side.

Cetation roll. In the lane. Got hit. No call. Picked up, though, by Lewis and put in. Javion Lewis. Right spot, right time. Florence lead back up to 12 with two minutes to go in the corner. Into the lane. Hard to the basket. Shot up. Bouncing out. No good. Rebound taken by Florence. Pearson has it. Surveys traffic. Bounce pass. A beauty to Jones. Layup. No good. Rebound on the floor. Fault for it. Taken by Pears. He'll kick him out the other way. And Pearson is still in the back floor.

Pears comes down the floor. Pearson looking. Thinking, oh, he went by his defender. Kept the ball. Lost it now. Ball on the floor. Got rid of it. Got it back to his look teammate. Swings it around. Ball moves quickly. Baseline down the lane. Put up a shot. No good. But a foul is called. And free throws coming for Florence. It's Skipworth. Boy, Florence right now doing a great job of moving the basketball. They did do a great job. It was a little scramble drill there. The ball was loose for a second.

People diving all over the court. And then just being able to move the ball around that arc really quick. Finding a lane that J.C. on Payne did. Found a lane along the baseline. Up and under. Wanted up getting the foul. But shooting two here. Here's a, excuse me, Payne free throw. No good. Front rim. Lewis has to go back and retrieve the basketball. He's been all the way to the back court. Nobody went to get it. Lewis said, I'll go get it. I'm playing back here.

129 to go. Florence up 18 to 6. Second free throw up. Got that one. Actually, there might have been a lane violation on the first missed free throw. So, he'll get one more free throw. Checking in for Florence will be Cooper Fullman. So, there was a lane violation. So, he missed the first, made the second, but he'll get a third. Like the old NBA where you get two for three. Oh, Mike, do you ever remember that? Two for threes? That was a little before my time. Well, J.C.

Hontane takes care of it. How about double figures for him in the first quarter? Ten points and 129 to go here in the first. Parrish has it. In front court. Picked up by Lewis now. Hands it off up top to Hogan. Former on him. Goes to the left side. Got it to Draper. Draper now back out to Parrish. That was a moving string. Hogan's got away with it. Hogan's turn spin. 15-footer by Parrish. No good. Rebound taken by Florence. Good job of rebounding by Jones. Jones will bring it up for a behind-the-back dribble in the front court.

[31:44] Lost it. Got it back. Made up Trojan. Lose his feet. Payne goes in. Layup. No good. He's fouled. And the Florence student section love the ankle breaker by Jones there. Hogan's came in with a couple cheap shots so far. This game went up high on Jay Shod there. And Jay Shod's letting him know that he knows all about it. But it's just a, yep. And they're continuing the chatter as it goes. But great job by Jay Cian to continue hard to the paint there and get the foul.

It's a good job by both coaches calming down their players and getting the refocus. I agree totally. Payne makes the free throw. He has 11 of Florence's, 21 here in the first quarter. They both calmed down their number twos. And when Pearson went over to Coach Burleson, it was like when the dad calls his son over a little bit. It was like, hey, you know you shouldn't do that. Both free throws good. Boy, Payne has had a hard, hot start. Full court pressure. Almost stolen backcourt. Parrish has it.

50 seconds to go. Florence with a quick 22-6 lead to start the game. But it's a lot of basketball left to be played. Trojans inside. Ball knocked away. Ball bounced around. Stolen by Pearson. Pearson up the floor. He has Payne. Payne goes up. Left hand layup. Good. How about 14 in the first quarter for Payne. 24-6. What a start for Florence. Dylan Burleson, sports coat. Still has the little magic left in it. Deep three in the corner of the way for Trojans. No good. Rebound bounced out, though.

Taken the end by the Trojans. Layup. Put it up. No good. Rebound taken down by the Trojans. Put it up in the end. That time Cowan's got it. Double team in the backcourt. Ball knocked away. It's going to be Florence's basketball with 15.6. Somebody's going to have to help Jayshod a little bit. They're double teaming, triple teaming. They can't leave him to get in the ball and bring it up the floor by himself, Mike. Right. You know, you're seeing it now. He's getting doubled each and every time down there.

And so it's going to be tough sledding for Jayshod as it is. But, you know, the Falcons will be able to help him out. Eight on the clock. Pearson in the corner. Three by Payne. Why not? Yes, sir. He'll knock it down. How about 17 in the first quarter by number one? Tracy on Payne. Have yourself a night. Falcons all in control early. 27 to 8 over Muscle Shoals. This is Falcon Basketball. We're back in 60. Flavor is calling at Lost Pizza Company Shoals. Introducing the new limited time only Margarita Pizza.

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I didn't have to write a long essay or audition or make a half-court shot. I just had to open a bank independent account, use my debit card, sign up for online banking, and have a positive balance. That's it. A 20% scholarship to UNA. When bank independent invests in students like me, they're investing in all of us and the future of our community. Bank independent. We're invested in your future. Member FDIC. Back here at Coffee Gym, where Florence leads it after one quarter, 27-8 over multiple shows. Kevin Johnson, Mike Albertson, J.C.

On Payne, have yourself a first quarter. I mean, it's a lot of basketball left, Mike, but that was pretty impressive. That was about as impressive as a quarter as you'll see at this high school level. J.C. On Payne was obviously locked in, very cool, calm, and under control. He took what the game gave him. He wasn't forcing anything up there, and he was just hitting everything. It was a beautiful quarter. Florence goes right to left. They'll have the basketball. Pearson keeps the ball in his hand in the corner.

Full more. Tries a three. That one wouldn't go. Rebound taken by Roy, though. Gets it back to Payne in the corner. Payne goes baseline. Nowhere to go. Spins back. Keeps the dribble live. Trying to back down defender. Lost it. Double team. Kicks it back out. Selfishly to Pearson. I think the Trojans know where number one is now. They're going to stay on for a while. Pearson gets the screen from Payne. Goes in the lane. Bounce pass into Roy. Lost it. Knocked away and taken away. That was actually to Jaden White who couldn't bring it.

A foul by Payne in backcourt. Going for the steal. That's his first. It was a beautiful bounce pass by J. Shot. Into Jaden White. Jaden was trying to go up with the ball before he secured it. So, you know, on that pass, missed it. Turned it over. Trojans deep three. That one's good. They finally get a three-pointer to go, and that's Parrish. Coming off the bench to hit a three. 27-11. A lot of basketball left to be played. This is a good Muscle Shoes team. It's their first game, but they are very talented.

[37:04] Pearson yo-yo with the basketball. Gets it to Roy. Roy at the free throw line. Back to Pearson. Pearson picked up by Parrish. Goes to the left. Kicks back. Step back three on the way. Well, bouncing short. No good. That ball hit the rim two or three times. Wouldn't fall. And rebound taken down by Draper. Draper in front court to Smith for the Trojans. Wearing all black, white glittering. Red on there as well. Another deep three by the Trojans. Got away with a walk up there. That was a walk and a half.

Got away with steps and hits the three, and the Trojans hit the back-to-back threes, and Florence will take the timeout. We'll do the same. 6.31 to go. Florence leaves it by 13. We're back in 30. Hey, Falcon fans. This is Keith at Cypress Creek Indoor Range. At Cypress Creek Indoor Range, we prepare you to provide your own safety. Cypress Creek Indoor Range team provides you with the knowledge and the right equipment to defend yourself and family. And our state-of-the-art indoor shooting range gives you the perfect place to practice.

You can take your skills to the next level through our extensive training classes or private lessons. At Cypress Creek Indoor Range, your safety is our number one priority. 50-60, Highway 157, or on the web at cypresscreekrange.com. 6.31 to go in the first half. Florence leads it 27-14. They led it 27-8, but most of those with back-to-back threes by Gavin Parrish has quickly trimmed the lead to 13, a little momentum swing to the Trojans. You know Neil Barker's going to get after his team after that first quarter a little bit, so here's the four-court pressure.

And the freshman, Burnett, in the game. No-look pass over to Payne in the lane. Payne gives it off, laid up at Jones, missed it. Rebound by Burnett. Stock away. Stayed up by Florence. Payne, open. Three. Will it go? It will. He rolled it in. He's got 20 on the night with 6-12 to go in the first half. And Florence leads it 30-14. A whistle away from the basket. I think somebody was fouled inside of Florence. Going to get a hold in there against Roy. They're jockeying for position underneath.

And, you know, Kate Roy just basically hooked him and held him into place. Now Foster will come back in with two fouls. Throwing an inbounds pass to Foster, and he's fouled on the shot. Yeah, that can't happen. Taylor Jones lost his player underneath. He wound up losing Foster underneath on the low block, giving Foster a nice look, and had to give him the foul there, making sure he didn't make that basket. Burnett had to pick up the foul. The free throw was short, no good. Remember, Muscle Souls has probably only had a few practices after the basketball.

I'm sure some of these players didn't play football. We saw a lot of common names from last year's team, and we saw some players that played football, too. And if they didn't play football, they should. They're impressive. Ball knocked away on the rebound on the missed shot, and it'll go to Florence. Burnett doing a good job. You know, to be a freshman, he is not back down from any of this team. It's pretty impressive. To have that kind of poise and confidence as a young man like that, going up against grown men as this Muscle Souls team is, it's definitely impressive.

Payne to the left. Hesitation takes a step in the lane. Floater too strong. Rebound tipped up and in, though, by Jones. Boy, Jones really starting to show a presence on the inside. 32-14. Lead back up to 18. Trojans perish frontcourt. Pearson, by the way, on the bench for Florence. Ball kicked away, but saved in bounds. Ball on the floor now. Muscle Souls gets it. Step back three of the way from the other side. Back three, no good. Foster got the rebound. Knocked away out of bounds. It'll stay with Muscle Souls.

The Trojans will have it there. Former Muscle Souls Trojan, Reese Davis, saw him tonight on ESPN. College football. Alabama fans keep an eye on that. We'll talk about that at the half. Deep three on the way. No good. Rebound off Lawrence. That's Burnett. Gets it. Burnett at about 6'1". Brings it up the floor. The freshman spins at the midcourt. Stripe has a defender on him. Samples. Keeps his dribble alive. Layed it up. Put it in. And he's fouled. Oh, I don't want to get too excited, but I do like what I see in the freshman.

It's not a bad bucket for your first bucket as a freshman at the varsity level, huh? You know, being able to take it down, a defender on your hip the entire way, break your guy down man to man, take it hard to the hole, and coming on in. Lane violation on the free throw, though, so he gets a point knocked away because a falcon stepped in the lane too soon. Pearson, though, got a good breather about three minutes, and Jason Payne will come out. And you don't see that very much, Jason getting some time off, so being able to get some time to refresh after that tough first quarter is good.

Trojans had trouble getting the bounce, but finally do with Foster. And bringing it up the floor now will be Chapman. Chapman to the left side. Ball fake, nicely inside. Runner up on the lane. No good. Rebound by Pearson to Florence. Jay Shaw, the smallest guy on the floor, gets the rebound. Double team, gets it to Burnett. Nobody picks him up. He goes to the lane. Put it up with the left hand. Missed it. Got his own rebound up. No good a second time. A little too strong.

[42:24] Let me look side on that one. Rebound by the Trojans. They look to push the other way. Quickly down the floor. They throw it. Up top. Foster's going to go up. Walser going up. Ball knocked away. And the last touch by Florence. He had visions of jam. And Florence had visions of peanut butter. They knocked it away. Yeah, it was a good job by Florence by poking that ball away. Really frustrating Foster there on his way up to the dunk. Florence up by 20 with 4.41 to go in the half.

Trojans inbound it. Get back to the guy that inbounded. Hogan's up top. Parrish. A great shooter. Three on the way. Missed it. Rebound. Fought for it. Florence tries to save it, but save it into the Trojans. Pretty good defense by Lewis, though. Give it inside. Back out. Three on the way. It's good. Hogan's hits the three. And a technical foul called against Hogan's. So, the referee's going to take control of it. He had already warned him once. And he saw something after it. Hogan's has been running his mouth basically the entire game so far.

And he's still doing it. Like, he's going to get himself tossed here. It's unnecessary. So, Pearson will shoot free throws. He's veteran officiating crew. And the official goes right over to the coach and goes to what he's saying. He told him. He nodded his head. He said, okay. Well, after he hit that three, he started running his mouth and getting in people's faces. And he's been doing that the whole game. He's really been taunting and trying to incite an issue. And, you know, good job by the officials to knock that down.

Great throw is good. I think he was one of two on that, Pearson. The scoreboard says he was 35. So, I think it was one of two. He wanted to. So, far toward the basketball. Hogan's probably played football. And I say that because they probably let you get away with a little more of that with the helmets on. But when the helmets are off, you can't say things like that. And I think that's a big part of it in high school basketball. There's Payne for three. That one's short.

Got his own rebound. Triple team. Goes back. Lost it. Actually, I wasn't paying the hat. Check that. There's another lefty in there that took the three. Here come the Trojans with it. Deep wing. Three on the way. Missed everything. Rebound by Pearson. Out of the pass to Burnett. He can't get to it. Went over his shoulder and turned over. That ball sort of had a funny spin to it. Jay Shott said, that's my fault. I love that by the senior to the freshman. Yeah. As Jay Shott threw it, there was a little curve on the ball.

So when Burnett went to go, went one way, the ball went the other and went right out of bounds. Lawrence leads at 35-17, 3.55 to go. Parrish gets the high screen. The switch is good. He kicks the ball around to the other side. Smith has it. Smith picked up by Lewis of Lawrence. Now Foster in the corner. He's got two fouls. Gets it back up top. Chapman goes up with the layup. Missed everything. But a foul after the shot. Maybe you'll see if it was during the shot.

We're going to call Jones. Pushed him. I think it's going to be free throws. That was a light call, though. He, I'm not sure. I thought he did. He jumped away from the basket. That was, I'm not sure that there was contact there. He, he, when you, you, if you go up to the basket and there's contact, that's one thing. But if you're fading away as he was, I'm not so sure that was induced. He makes the free throw. Burski will come in the game for the first time.

Bo Burski and Tamari and Skipworth for Lawrence. And also, Irons will get ready to check in the game. Free throw is good. So, sub, sub right here. So, Irons will come in for Florence. And Cowan, four muscle shells, as the free throw was good there by Keene. Trimmed the lead to 35-19. Full court press. Florence will have Pearson, Skipworth, pain with the basketball, Burski, and also Irons on the floor. Top of the key. Burski hands it off to Pearson. Double team. Back out to Irons. Hands it off.

Down to Skipworth. Back out to Pearson. Gets it to Burski. Burski hands it off to Penn. And a foul is called on Burski for the moving screen. That was the least contact I've seen on the screen all night. And I'm not, that's not hyperbole. That was a bit strange. So, now the official making sure he's not taking care of any little thing about giving the ball back and all this thing. A little chess match going on right now. It is a rivalry. In the front court, most of those.

And Smith has it. Gives it off to Draper. And Foster, excuse me. Foster now to Draper. Picked up by Irons. Florence up 35-19 with three minutes to go in the first half. Burski now. Pick up Foster. He'll make him get rid of it. Top of the key. Smith has it. Florence going man-to-man. Get it into the paint now. Ball nearly knocked away. Good job by Burski doubling down. Smith has it. Doubles down again. Good double team inside. Even a triple team. Nowhere to go with it.

[47:31] Really great defense. A foul finally called. Bailey might have out. And I think they may get Burski coming from the backside. A little too strong as the outside linebacker playing forward. But I like his physicality. He gave him two shots on a ball that didn't go up for a shot. It might be five fouls already. Yeah, it's five fouls. Okay. Good grief, because I was about to say. First free throw on the way. Back rim. No good. Fulmer will come in. Roy will come out in.

Irons and Burski will come out. And both of them getting applause for their head coach. They're giving him some good minutes there. Second free throw coming from Draper. To try to cut the lead out to 15. And he missed that one too. And a rebound yanked down by Florence and Skipworth. But he lost it going out of bounds. Gave it right back in. And he fouled. Had nowhere to go with it. And the ball went right back to Draper. And Draper will go to the line too.

Or again. And it's the right call. You know, probably a little push from going out of bounds on the rebound. And then he got called coming back the other way. Florence has done a great job of really breaking down the court after rebounds. However, they've done a really poor job of making sure the ball gets up the court. And so they had the entire team was beyond half court at that point. And, you know, Skipworth had nowhere to throw it except for to the other team.

And wound up picking up a cheap foul right after. So it was unfortunate for the Falcons. Now here you go. Let's go. Second free throw. No good. Rebound tipped around. Finally controlled by Florence's pain. Florence has been outscored in this quarter. I think 12-8 and a whistle away from the basket. I think Parrish got the foul this time. But Florence, Florence may have got teed up. So the foul was called. And that technical foul is against Florence's. Roy. So no free throws for Florence. I don't think I'm back.

And Muscle Shoals will shoot free throws the other way. I like the officiating. I'm not going to lie to you. Take control of it. It's this game. Let the kids know you're in control of the game both ways. Play basketball. Free throw no good. It is an official who has been at state championship level. The second control of it. I like it. Second free throw good by Parrish. He has seven points off the bench for the Trojans. Trimmed the lead to 14. So former Roy, Pearson, Payne, and Lewis on the floor for Florence.

Let's play man-to-man. It'll be Trojans basketball. Trojans chipping away at the lead. Some of it at the free throw line. Parrish hesitation dribble. Got a step. Good hedge there by the Falcon defense. Goes back to the other side to Foster. And inside, a whistle and a foul. And a push off inside. I think it's an offensive foul. That time, it was called against Draper pushing off against Lewis. Draper wound up trying to gain position on Lewis and hooked him and used his strength. And really, I mean, it was a player control foul for sure.

And Draper said to Lewis, he said, hey, my bad. And Lewis said, it was a nice sportsmanship by both after these championships we've had. I like seeing that. Pearson has it front court for Florence against the man-to-man pressure from the Trojans. Gets it to Fulmer, top of the key. Handed it off to Roy. Roy, double-teamed nearly stolen away. Ball play is stolen away. Draper has it. Draper down the floor, laid it up, and he's fouled, and he made it. Right now, the Trojans starting to find their footing a little bit.

What was a 20-point lead? It's down to 12. I'll tell you one thing. You don't make Draper mad. Nope. You know, he took that upon himself. He saw Roy had the ball, the guy who was just chirping with him. He took the ball straight from him. Got a lot of contact. Got Roy another foul and won. And there's ways to win games, Mike. And you just said it. And you said, you don't have to talk. Just let your play be the talk. And that's when you know.

Free throw's good by Draper. And all of a sudden, multiple shows. Let's cut this lead down to 11. Lawrence led as many as 20. I need a basket here in the last two minutes. Pearson, top of the key. Hitched out. Bounce pass. A beauty inside. Layup. Won't go. Irons missed it. Fulmer got it. Put it up. Put it in. Boy, that's a huge rebound by Cooper Fulmer. Big needed that. Irons had a bunny that wouldn't go in. And Fulmer come and crash the boards. Bringing up the floor is Draper.

Picked up by Fulmer. Picks up his dribble outside the top of the key. Swings it back up top. Into the lane. Left-hand shot. No good. Rebound yanked down. Florence got. That's Lewis. Boy, the big man right there took control bat and gets it off now to Payne. Payne will get across the midcourt stripe. Excuse me. That's Skipworth in the corner. Fulmer will try three. Good. Back-to-back baskets. And Fulmer has five. And the lead back up to 16. Parrish brings it down to the floor against Fulmer. Like seeing that from Cooper Fulmer.

[52:50] Parrish goes baseline. Got a step. Now he's in trouble. Kicks it back out. Deep three at the top of the key on the way. No good. Rebound fought for us. Lewis again controls it. Gets it over to Skipworth. Pearson will bring it up the floor. Florence under 40 seconds as they bring it across the midcourt stripe. May play for the last shot. Up 16. Here's Pearson with it. Pearson yo-yos with the basketball at the free throw line. Bounce pass back door. Skipworth layup. Good. Oh, that's gorgeous from Pearson to Skipworth.

30 seconds to go. Put the lead back up to 18. Draper, front court. Cross court now to Smith. Smith will hold it. Smith picked up there by Payne. Gives him a lot of space. He's at the midcourt strike. Sets the play with 10. Lobs it to the free throw line. In the corner now. Looking for help. Trying to get in the screen. Got the screen. Goes up. Light hand layup. No good. Rebound by Florence. Pearson has it with two. Pearson has it with one. From 70 feet. Why not? Oh, just missed it.

And that'll do it. Great half for the Florence Falcons. They lead it. 42 to 24. This is Falcon Basketball. We're back in two minutes. Irons Electric has been family owned and operated for 65 years. Irons Electric is deeply rooted in the Florence High School tradition and is happy to be a part of many past projects, including the recently completed new band room. Irons Electric Company was voted the number one electrical contractor in 2023. Our professional team-owned staff and master electricians provide the expertise to make sure your project is installed per code to operate safely and flawlessly.

From small residential jobs to large commercial projects, call Irons Electric at 256-766-3870. You won't be shocked by their reputation. This is Miranda Haddock with the Florence Education Foundation. We invite you to support our Friends of the Foundation campaign. As a friend of the Foundation, you can contribute any amount to help fund classroom needs in Florence City schools. Please visit our website at FlorenceEducationFoundation.org to explore our new giving levels and the added perks available. We want to wish Coach Burleson and the entire Falcon basketball team good luck this season.

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And, Mike, it's what you want high school beat back like, right? It certainly is. You know, this has been a great back-and-forth battle here. The Falcons came out shooting hot. That second quarter was tooth and nail for really fighting hard. This is going to be a full four-quarter battle. You know, you can tell it right away. The tensions are high. The crowds are really into it. It's going to be a good one. It will be. And it was amazing. We can talk about a lot of things in that first half.

But, you know, maybe one of the things that caught my attention was when Florence sort of let this lead slip away. Cooper Fulmer, back-to-back baskets, a three and a two. He put an 11-point lead back up to 16 and then pushed back up to 18. So, it's those little things, that little mini run that you have like that. That was a big part of this game, too. It certainly is. You know, when you're able to, you know, do some good things on the court. I mean, that Cooper Fulmer, his first basket came from an offensive rebound, getting that second chance opportunity.

And then next time down the court, he was found wide open in the corner, and he drained it for the Falcons. So, that was a big swing there for the Falcons, leading into that, towards the end of that second quarter, and into the half. That was a big swing. Florence led it after one by a score of 27-8, leading it at the half, 42-24. You're listening to the TNT Fireworks Halftime Show, Florence Falcons basketball. We're back in one minute. Hello, my name is Debra Bell-Passeur, and I'm an attorney with the law firm of Johnson, Passeur, Medley, and Burchill.

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He had a phenomenal first half, and we'll get into that in just a minute. But we'll start off with Muscle Shoals. Leading the way is Gavin Parrish with seven points. We had Foster with two. Hogan's with three. K.J. Cowan with four. And Jamari and Draper, six points. Kieran King with two. Leading the way for the Falcons. Jaceon Payne with 20 points. Jaceon Pearson with six. Taylin Jones with three. Cooper Fulmer with five. Jayden Irons with two. Javion Lewis with two. And Zydling Burnett with two points.

Florence hit six three-pointers in the first half. Muscle Shoals had three three-pointers in the first half. But the Falcons come out hot. And Jaceon Payne was one of the best first quarters I've seen in a long time. And now can the Falcons close it out? They've had trouble doing this. They've been on the other ends of this against some of the best teams in the state. And tonight they've come out. And, you know, you can tell the difference in a team that's played five or six games like Florence compared to a team in their first game.

You know Muscle Shoals is talented, though. They're not going to go away. So Florence will have to fight for this second half. They certainly will. This Muscle Shoals team is as talented as there is. I mean, athletes all over the place. I mean, we talk about, you know, Draper and Foster and Hogan and, you know, Pritchard. You got them all. You know, K.J. Cowan, just a big man underneath as well. Just these guys are playing really tough. And they're super athletic and really giving the Falcons all they want.

They just haven't played enough together to really gel so far. You can see that in that first half. Florence up 42-24 at the half. 93-9 at school will have your SEC championship game on Saturday. That's the Crimson Tide. And Georgia, round two. Mike, could it be round two of three? Yeah, it could. It could. It could. It could do very well. I mean, that's pretty accurate. The first time around, Alabama coming off a loss from Florida State. They played Georgia pretty well and passed the ball quite well.

Alabama hasn't looked too hot in the last two games, in my opinion. I think, you know, I hate to say it, but I think Georgia takes that one. Really? I do. So, you know, it's twice. It's hard to beat them the second time. You know, I think back when Auburn and Georgia, Auburn got them at home and had to turn around and play them in the SEC championship game and it was tough to beat them then. But, yeah, I agree with you on that. When you look at the college playoff setup, you know, I'll let you say, who do you really think is a good favorite in that college playoff setup pretty good?

You know, I think, I mean, I hate to say it, but I think Ohio State's playing as good as anybody right now. And, you know, they had a little scare in the first quarter against Michigan and everything. But I really think that Ohio State's looking about as tough, you know, top to bottom as any team out there. And, you know, the other thing I would say, too, is the team that I thought played as well Saturday as anybody in the nation, those Vanderbilt Commodores just up in Nashville, it's impressive what they've done.

Like them or not, it has been an impressive season. And hats off to them for what a season they've had. You know, and the unfortunate part is, you know, it looks like I was looking at percentages earlier. I think they're only like, they're a single-digit percentage, I think 7% chance to make the playoff. But they've played as good as anybody out there for sure. We're at the half, Florence in multiple shows, 42-24, third quarter action coming up after this one-minute timeout. Florence Utilities offers several ways to view and pay your utility bill.

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93.9 The Score, your home for Florence Falcons basketball. Kevin Johnson, Mike Albertson with you. The TNT fireworks halftime show comes to a close because third quarter, it's about to open up. Florence leads at 42-24, the Falcons in the home white, blue numerals, blue lettering, blue checks down the side. I always compare it to the old Kentucky uniforms of the days of Jeff Shepard. His son, Reed Shepard, is pretty good in the NBA right now, by the way, pretty impressive player. Florence will let Muscle Shoals have the ball first.

Muscle Shoals will go right to left as we start the third quarter. Florence will have Payne on the floor, along with Jones, Irons. Also, Burnett will be out there in Pearson. And nearly knocked away and stolen away by Irons. Irons trying to do a run out. Irons, left-hand layup too strong. Tipped up, no good. Payne couldn't put it up and rebound taken by the Trojans. Irons had the right idea, but he got a little out of control there, Mike. Yeah, he did. He got a full head of steam, and that big man was a little out of control going up for the basket, unfortunately.

He couldn't convert that one. Foul called there. I'm not sure they called that on. I think that was on Zion Burnett. Burnett picks up the foul. They say it was a shooting foul. He actually was throwing the ball out, I thought. But he was up in the air right close to the basket. He'll get free throws. The back rim, no good. Forward, Tylan Smith. Tylan Smith missed the first of two. Got a box out here for Florence. Go, box out! Leading it by 18. 7.35 to go in the third.

Second free throw. Rolled out, no good. Rebound taken by Jones. Tylan Smith must be a football player. Yes. He's a supreme athlete, but you can tell he's not hit those free throws. Smith to Burnett. Three short. No good. Pearson got the rebound. Lost it. Saved back in. And that one hit the Godwire on the save by Pearson. So it'll go back to Muscle Shoes. And Florence will pick up full court. Iron seems to back up. He don't know anybody's behind him there. It was a great job by Coach Burleson to let his player be aware of that situation.

So he's getting the bounce. Smith will bring it up to the floor. Smith, left wing, gets it down to Cowan. Cowan inside. Good spin around. Boy, that should have been a foul. The offensive foul. Instead it'll be defense. Irons is standing there and got elbowed. He got elbowed right in the face. But Irons will pick up the foul. That was unfortunate. That was a good defensive position. He took an elbow to the face and then gets a foul called on him. That adds insult to injury right there.

First free throw up and good by Draper. 7.07 to go. Florence lead at 42-25. Trying to hang on to this one tonight. Second one on the way. Back room no good. Rebound by Jones of Florence. Who's doing a really superb job on the rebound. Burnett, front court, guarded by Foster. Left-hand dribble. Fixed it up. Looking. Had it knocked away. Picked it back up. Goes to the basket. Laid it up. No good. Rebound. Tipped out of bounds. Last touch by the Trojans. He did the right thing. He lost it.

Went back up. Put it up. But it wouldn't go. So Florence will inbound it. Pearson will pull the trigger underneath the basket. Towards the floor towards the Florence bench. Bounce pass into Jones. Jones on the left wing. Goes in the lane. Spins. Nowhere to go. Chair pulled out from under. Ball knocked away. Scooped up by Florence, though. And that's Burnett. Shot blocked. Out of bounds. That was last touch by Florence. They'll go to Michael Scholes. So the Trojans starting to play defense a little bit. Getting loose balls.

[1:08:26] You can see them a step quicker than they were in the first half. You're starting to see them settle into this ball game quite a bit. And the Falcons better watch out because they're capable of getting a run. Smith. Elbow jumper. No good. Rebound by Irons. And he's fouled in back court. Irons goes six foot two, I would say. As a linebacker, he was a pretty big kid. And you see it in the basketball uniform. He's a big boy. I mean, he's got some muscle and still some space to grow.

But he's just strong. Yeah, he's a big, strong kid. Definitely stout. It's really tough underneath the basket. He's using his body well, you know, to box out and things of the sort. Pearson blows by two. Kicks in the corner. Burnett, three. Short. No good. Got his own rebound. Back in. Put it up. Got it to go. The kid's not shy. I like it. Lead back up to 19. Quickly up the floor. Hogan's picked up by Irons. He did a good job. Got it to Draper. Hogan's got away with the travel.

He changed feet. He looked so smooth, nobody realized him. Hogan's now the right side. Falcons' friend did a good job. That one knows a good defensive play. But he gets it inside. And Foster, baseline move is good. He gets the basket. Foster's really, really an excellent athlete. Great job underneath on the baseline. Using the glass well. Jones to Pearson. Pearson in the lane. Nowhere to go with it. To Irons at the free throw line. Back up top to Payne. Payne got the screen from Irons. Keeps the dribble alive.

Goes to the left. Goes in the lane. Floater. Got it. True contact. Didn't get the whistle, but he got the basket. That's what matters. Falcons' full court press. Really having to trust time to get it in balance. They throw it away. Irons gets it. To Payne. Open. Drives between two Trojans. Floater. Teardrop. No good, but he's fouled. He'll go to the line and shoot two. And that was from defense on the press turning into offense, Mike. Yeah, so, you know, the relentless pressure that the Falcon defense was able to give there got them to throw that ball away.

You know, Irons came up with a nice play. Passing it over to Payne, who took it hard to the basket and got fouled. Payne to the line. The lefty's first free throw. Rolled it in. Unefficiently, I got him with 23. Is that right? 23. The junior spins the basketball. Puts it up. Nets. How about 24? It's still in the third quarter. 5'11 to go. Falcons up 48-27. Front court, the Trojans get it. Ball knocked away, stolen away by Florence, but retrieved by Mosley-Scholes. Now they've got numbers. Go in the lane.

Dunk missed, but a foul called on Florence. Maybe Irons got him. Or is that Burnett? Foul, foul is 13, Irons. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. 14. Parking. Six. Call it to the line. Burnett picked up the foul. So, that's his third. A 4.59 to go. The freshman. Free throw is coming up good. A coward. Checking in the ballroom for the Trojans. Not even in the weeks. Take shot, Duster. Take shot. Second free throw. Back rim, no good. Rebound, and then went right to the shooter.

He goes up, laid it up, missed it. They go back to the line. That's because the freshman didn't realize he stepped away from the line because he thought the coach called him. We didn't have a player in there. The one guy we didn't have to box out got the rebound. It's a teacher moment right there, Mike. Yeah, all of these moments. Every minute out here, you're going to be able to break down some film. You know, you see some great things out of him that he just does naturally.

There's other things that, you know, at this level you can't get away with. You know, you might be able to get away with some things at the JV level, but at the varsity level, it's just a step forward that he's going to have to take, and he's going to have to learn it on the fly. Hogan's missed, made one. Missed the second. He's got Tim Dianne by Foster. So Florence, terrible rebound in there. Give up four points. Falcons break the press. Baseline, and Burnett's fouled before the shot.

He doesn't play with the scoreboard. He just plays. He goes up and down the floor. Looking to get inbounds. Finally do. Pearson gets it back from Irons. Pearson dribbles in the point. Put it up. He wouldn't go. He had a good look that time, but he was off balance. Rebound taken by the Trojans. He got a little shove there that wasn't called. Kind of knocked him off his flight path. Stolen away, though, inside by Irons. He read the passing lane there. Beautiful job by Jaden Irons.

[1:13:34] Pearson gives it back to Irons. He goes hard to the basket. Laid it up. Put it in. If you're going to make a play on one end, why not get the basket on the other? Jaden Irons with his fourth point. B2-31. Florence up by 19. And a foul on backcourt. And Barnett, I think, got the call. Or is it Pearson? We'll say 14. Barnett did not move his feet there. He went for a steal, but didn't keep his feet moving. If he kept his feet moving, he likely wouldn't have called that.

4-0-6 mark. Free throw is coming. Free throw is good. Smith. Lewis will come in along with Skipworth. This is a great job. Great minutes by Irons there off the bench. Coming up with a couple of big steals, a couple of rebounds, and a couple of points there. It was just a good overall effort. Second free throw. In and out. No good. Rebound went over the back. No call. Taken by the Trojans. They go up again. Get it back again. Put it up again. No good.

Rebound over the back. Finally, they get the call. It took about three tries, and finally, they said Foster went over the back. So it'll be Florence basketball with 3.59 to go. The foul on Foster. Yeah, Foster was all over the back a couple of times. Finally, he wanted to get the call there. Pearson. Yo-yoing the basketball up the floor. Between the legs dribble by Hogan. Got the clear drop. Floater good. Pearson just absolutely hesitating until he gets the basket. Hogan comes back. Wants to answer the other way.

Hogan tries to go left. Got a step in the lane. Put it up. Missed it short. Got his own rebound. Put it up. Got it in. So Hogan took the challenge and went in and gets it back. Florence tries to outlet pass. Got it down to Jonesy. Got it blocked. Lewis will chase it down in the corner. Lewis looking for it. Gets it back out to Payne. Payne to Pearson. Top of the key. Pearson, right wing. Three on the way by Skipworth. Wouldn't go. Rebound taken by Parrish of Muscle Shoals.

Florence leads it by 18. But Trojans starting to gain a little footing here. This next couple of minutes is sort of important, I feel like. Right wing with it. Trojans have it. Top of the key to Foster. Foster builds inside. Draper deep. No, check that. The shot is up and good. And a foul as Ricks gets it. And he was fouled. Skipworth with a foul. And the lead cut to 16. Dylan Burson brings Roy in to take the place of Jones. Trying to keep fresh legs in for the fourth quarter.

But Ricks will try to cut the lead down to 15. Free throw up. Back rim. And got it and fall. He had so much spin on it. When he hit the back rim, it just died. And the lead trimmed down to 15. Get it in balance to Payne. Back court. Payne gets it back to Roy and threw it away. Turnover. Trojans have a three on two the other way. Go back to Foster. Goes up in and up. Understreet. Way up. Good. Right now, Foster with six. And a whistle and a foul in back court against the Trojans.

Actually, a timeout taken by Florence. 2.41 to go in the third. Florence timeout. Talkin' Basketball is back in 30 seconds. Flavor is calling at Lost Pizza Company Shovels. Introducing the new limited time only margarita pizza. Fresh basil, fine ripened tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella pearls on our homemade crust. Light, bright, and bursting with flavor. Try our all new dry rub wings. Seasoned to perfection with bold smoky spices. It'll have you coming back for more. Don't forget dessert. Cotton blues cheesecake slices are here. Creamy, dreamy, and downright legendary. These flavors won't stick around forever.

Only at Lost Pizza Company Shoals. Where the lost get fed. 241 to go in the third quarter. Muscle Shoals has chipped away at this Falcon lead and cut it to 13. And, Mike, right now, this last 241 of the third quarter may be the most important 241 of the game. It certainly is. It certainly is. You know, the Falcons have had a nice cushy lead, but momentum is all muscle shoals right now. And with that being said, you know, you want to close out the quarter pretty strong. So, give yourself a little cushion going into the fourth quarter.

Pearson, double-team backcourt. Gets it to a foul out there. No call on Payne. Another foul. Payne goes, gets it inside to Lewis. Up and under. Missed the shot. Got it back. Put it up. Missed it again, but he fouled it. There you go. There's about four fouls there before the one whistle. That one will be called on the Trojans. Free throw is coming for the Falcons. First free throw is good. Nice looking free throw by Lewis, and that's a big free throw. 2-29 to go. Florence up by 14.

[1:19:09] Second free throw by Lewis coming. Now it rolled out. No good. Rebound taken by the Trojans. Trojans are bringing up the floor. Get it to Falser. He's had the hot hand. He yo-yos. Kicks it back out. Hogan will try the deep three. No good. Back rim. Rebound taken. Floating around. Nobody went and got it. Foster saved it and knocked it off a Falcon player. And that right there has simplified the last few minutes of third quarter, Mike. Right. You know, we did a good job of boxing out, but just letting the ball kind of bounce around on the floor.

Muscle Shoals player made a great job. Foster picked it up and slammed it off the Falcon to get it out of bounds. Muscle Shoals maintains possession. Trojan of the basketball. Shot good. That's Hogan's chicken. Smith made the shot. Lead down to 11. Here's Pearson with it front court. He gets the double team. Now triple team goes in the lane. Keeps the dribble live. Got it out to Payne. Payne had it knocked away. Payne splits the double team and is fouled. I was like, where's that one going to be called at?

He got tripped up by two players. They were looking for the travel there. They kicked his legs out from under him. I was like, that's the fifth foul. Should be two free throws. That's five. But we're shooting. We're shooting. We should be shooting free throws. Pearson just realized that. So 53-42 with 138 to go. A little confusion there. And Jaceon Payne will actually shoot free throws for Florence. And these are big. I know it sounds that way, but only 11-point lead. It's the closest Muscle Shoals has been in a while.

First free throw up. Got it. It's 25 on the night for Payne. The lefty will try to make it 26. And he does. Falcons pick up full court. Both teams with five fouls in the quarter. So a free throw is the rest of the way in the last minute and 30 seconds of the third quarter. Parrish gets right up to the right side. Smith has it. Drives in the lane. Pushed off. Got away with it. Missed the shot. Rebound by Pearson. Pearson dribbles out of there with a triple team.

And finally, it's foul. It's called. He'll shoot free throws. Smith tried to undercut him a little bit. Going for the steal. Jaceon will high step down to the free throw line to shoot two. Up by 13. Tends to go up by 15. Give the Trojans credit. They have fought back. Free throw good. By Pearson. These two teams will meet again over in Muscle Shoals later in the season. Second free throw. Wouldn't go. Rebound taken by Foster of Muscle Shoals. 14-point lead for Florence. Parrish will bring it up to the floor.

Gets the high screen. Tries in the lane. Got away with travel. And now they call a foul. They're going to get irons. That would be four if it is. It's three. It's on Skipworth. So Skipworth gets the foul. But the Trojans are getting to the free throw line a lot. Something we saw in the days of Mark Sears. Free throw good by Parrish. And as always, these Muscle Shoals teams, they do the little things well. And when they get to the free throw line, they usually drain those.

But uncharacteristically missed a few in that first half. But as the season progresses, you know the Muscle Shoals team is going to be as tough as they come from the line. They hit six free throws in this quarter. Make it seven. And the lead trimmed down to 13. With a minute to go, Florence will bring it up the floor. Smith will pick up Pearson. Pearson left-hand dribble across the mid-court stripe. Goes up top to Payne. Payne to right wing. Gets it to Skipworth. Hands it off to Lewis.

He got a step in the lane. Spins. Beautiful move. But he missed the shot. Rebound taken by the Trojans. Foster has it. He did everything right, but too strong on the basket. They get it down the floor. Got away with the travel shot. No, throw it away on the other side. Left. Good. And the Trojans. Samples puts it in. And the lead down to 11. On the other side, Florence answers quickly, though. Jones on the leak out. Back and forth to go. 58-46. Florence by 12. Smith will have it with 20 seconds.

Smith at the front court from the Trojans. Gets it to Parrish. Back up top. Foster thought about the three. Wouldn't take it. With 14, Foster's going to try to drive. Goes into the lane. Hands it off to Samples. Ball on the floor. Scramble for it. Put up by Smith. No good. Rebound tipped around and taken by Pearson. Pearson in back court. Knocked away. No foul call. Trojans have it. Ball on the floor. Picked up by Florence. And that'll be a wild ending through the third quarter. And good sportsmanship by Jayshod Pearson helping Smith up at the end of three.

[1:24:27] Florence leads at 58-46. Falcon basketball back in 60. Have you ever seen those halftime scholarships where you have to nail a 40-yard field goal? Yeah, this isn't that. I didn't have to write a long essay or audition or make a half-court shot. I just had to open a bank independent account, use my debit card, sign up for online banking, and have a positive balance. That's it. A 20% scholarship to UNA. When bank independent invests in students like me, they're investing in all of us and the future of our community.

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50-60, Highway 157, or on the web at cypresscreekrange.com. The voice of the Florence High School Falcons. WYTK-FM. Rogersville. Athens. Decatur. The Shoals. 93-9. The Score. One quarter left in this when Florence holding on to a 12-point lead. They led it after 127-8 at the half 42-24. But the Trojans make a big indention there. Cut it to 12 to end the third quarter. But Florence had the basketball to start the third quarter. Our fourth quarter leading at 58-46. Just want to keep this thing in double digits in Florence, Mike.

Yeah, you certainly do. You don't want to make it interesting. It's going to be very, very important to start this quarter off strong. Jayshod Pearson lobs it to Fulmer. Now he gets it to Jones. Jones top of the key. Hands it off to Payne. Guarded closely by Parrish. Payne got a step in the lane. Nowhere to go with it. Looking back. Door cut. Got inside. Layup good by Jones. Beautiful pass right there. From Payne to Jones on the set play. Coming out of the timeout. Out of the target quarter.

And Coach Dillon Burleson and his family encouraging the Falcons to play defense. Parrish right wing to his teammate. Throw it away. Fulmer read the lane. Stolen away though by Parrish. Parrish got it right back. Probably got away with a foul there. But no call. Back up top. Deep three by Hogan. Is up. No good. Rebound. Good box out by Florence Jones. And now Pearson will have it. Pearson quickly down the floor. A little too strong. Not what we needed there. Ball knocked away. It'll stay with Muscle Shoals.

And Jayshod said that was me. I shouldn't have done that. Trying a little too hard right there, Mike. Yeah, you know, you see something. You really, in a split second, make a decision. A pass like that across the entire court is really, really difficult. Once he let it go, he knew. Boy, Fulmer almost got another steal, but it tipped right into the hands of Hogan. Back to Pierce. Seven minutes to go. Florence up by 14. Push off inside. No call. Shot. No good. Rebound taken by Fulmer of Florence.

He'll pull up with the dribble and get it to his point guard, Pearson. Pearson up front. Now gets it to Jones. Back to Pearson. Pearson drives in the paint. Nowhere to go. Step back. Fade away. Won't go. Rebound by Irons. Boy, you're fading there to get it. Payne goes. Drives. Layup good. Florence with a second chance opportunity because of the Irons' hustle. Great job by Irons to really get after that ball. Super hustle play there by him being able to get the Falcons in extra possession and two points there.

Hogan's up top. Smith on the right wing. They get it back to Pierce. He found a step in the lane. Put up the shot off the glass and he got it to go. That's a nice little curl right there. A good set play. Falcon lead. Trim to 14. Pearson drives hard in the basket. No good on the basket, but he's fouled and he'll shoot two. Cowan on the foul there, giving the body as J-Shot was going up for the basket. Foster coming into the game. J-Shot has a little bit of a mark serious, too.

I mean, he knows how to use his body to get the contact. And it's not anything wrong. He just knows how – he understands the game. That's the best way to put it. He certainly does. You know, you see it at the NCAA level. You see it a lot of the time during tournament time. The undersized guard. You know, he somehow is able to move his body and use his body in such a way that really frustrates other teams and defenses. And J-Shot has learned that. I mean, Mark Sears is doing it at the next level, at the NBA level, for crying out loud.

So, you see it all the time. One of two on the free throws for Pearson. Falcon lead at 15. 5.57 to go. Backdoor cut of beauty. Layup, put up, and in. That's a great pass from Perry. And Foster's a tremendous athlete. He did a great job catching that ball and putting it up off the glass. And then, the offense had it on the corner. The layup, put up on the side. Good. Guess who? Payne. He's got five on the corner already. I think approaching 30. Quickly down the floor.

[1:29:45] Foster laid it up. Put it in. Florence not getting back on the defense. Foster with 10 on the day. Four-court pressure coming. It's fine if we're going basket for basket, but we can't keep this pace for the entire fourth quarter. That's not going to be in our benefit. Pearson. Top of the key. Bounce pass. Not a good one. They read that one. Hogan stole it away. They want to run the other way. Might have overthrown it, but Parrish saved it in. But Pearson steals it. Pearson now double-team, triple-team in backcourt.

Behind the back dribble. Has to be careful with it. Cut his legs out from under him, and Hogan gets called for that. And J-Shaw did a good job of staying really calm there. Like my youngster right there. J-Shaw didn't mean to. And timeout taken by the Trojans. 5-0-4 to go. Florence leaves at 65-52. Falcon basketball back in 30 seconds. Irons Electric has been family-owned and operated for 65 years. Irons Electric is deeply rooted in the Florence High School tradition and is happy to be a part of many past projects, including the recently completed new band room.

Irons Electric Company was voted the number one electrical contractor in 2023. Our professional team-owned staff and master electricians provide the expertise to make sure your project is installed per code to operate safely and flawlessly. From small residential jobs to large commercial projects, call Irons Electric at 256-766-3870. You won't be shocked by their reputation. 5-0-4 to go in the game. Florence leaves at 65-52. Kevin Johnson and Mike Albertson with you. J-Shaw having a career at night, Mike. It's pretty special. It certainly has. You know, he's in counting with 5-0-4 to go in this game.

He's got 33 points so far. He's done a great job just really leading the way for the Falcons on the offensive side. You know, doing it both with being able to dish the ball and distribute. But shooting the ball, just fantastic from the field. Jones, Fulmer, Roy, Lewis, and Payne on the floor. So, Florence giving J-Shaw Pearson a little breather here. And it's stolen away by Hogan. Hogan's picked the pocket, laid it up, and put it in. He is some more quick. Payne in back court. It's a double team coming.

Gets down the sideline, triple team, and finally a foul called. With 4.46 to go, that's on Hogan's. 11-point lead for Florence. Hogan's has definitely turned up the heat on the Falcons there. He's really playing some tenacious defense there. But got a little trigger happy. Wound up hitting J-Shaw. Payne at the top of the key. Drives in the lane. Nowhere to go. Picked up the dribble. Back up top to Irons. Irons says, no, let's settle down. Fake the three. Now he looks to give it away to Payne.

Payne keeps the dribble alive. Step back three. Foul. No good. He'll shoot three. Fulster got him. He's putting two up there. Oh, his foot was on the line? Yeah, they're both saying two. So, he'll shoot two. With an 11-point lead. Foster may have picked up his fourth, and he did. Foster last year was one of the keys to the game. Both him and Draper wound up getting in foul trouble late in the game. Gave Florence the late lead. First free throw. Got it. By Payne. You want to fill up the stat sheet.

Any high school athletes out there listening in, you work yourself at that free throw line. You get those free throws. You'll be able to add up to the tally. JC on has. It appears to be about, that makes 11 points from the free throw line. 35 on the night. He thought three, but he's only shooting two. He didn't realize that. He thought he was getting three free throws. They told him to. And it'll be Muscle Shoes basketball. Florence leads up by 13. It was the right call. This foot was on the line.

13-point lead for Florence. Here come the Trojans with it. Approaching the four-minute mark. Everything outside the arc for the Trojans. Passing around. Looking for a lane to cut. Nowhere to go. Kick it in the corner. Deep three on the way. Good. Smith brings the three. And the lead trimmed down to 10. Ball knocked away. It'll stay with Florence. This is the part right here. Got to take care of the basketball. And defense for offense for Coach Neal Barker. He'll bring Jeremiah Love in. So he's going to go quick.

Try to get some defense. Down by 10. Full-court pressure coming. Get it in to Pearson. Backcourt. Pearson picked up by Smith. Pearson says waves him off and gets across the midcourt strike. Pearson yo-yos with it. Drives in the paint. Floater. Teardrop. Off the basket. Good. Off the board, I should say. And good. Jay Shod. When we need a big basket. Finds it. Up by 12. Parrish for the Trojans. Hesitation spins. In the lane. Floater. Good. He's pretty good. Timeout taken by the Trojans. We'll do the same. Florence still holding on to a 10-point lead.

[1:35:13] 333 to go. Come back and see us in 30. This is Miranda Haddock with the Florence Education Foundation. We invite you to support our Friends of the Foundation campaign. As a friend of the Foundation, you can contribute any amount to help fund classroom needs in Florence City Schools. Please visit our website at FlorenceEducationFoundation.org to explore our new giving levels and the added perks available. We want to wish Coach Burleson and the entire Falcon basketball team good luck this season. 333 to go in the game. Florence holding on to a 10-point lead.

They have led it big in the first quarter and led it by double digits the whole way since the first quarter, Mike. But for the first time, the Trojans have sliced and sliced and got it down to 10. And you feel like if the Trojans get it single digits, Florence will be, well, fighting for their life. Yeah, you can see, you know, Muscle Shoals has really established themselves in this second half, really taking it to the Falcons, you know, outscoring them 22-16 in that third quarter. And now in the fourth, have a two-point advantage in that regard.

But that 10-point deficit with 333 to go is going to be tough. The Falcons need to take care of the basketball here and get some good looks at the basket. Telly now in 6A, Muscle Shoals is going to be a handful this year. Full-court pressure. Getting inbounds, almost knocked away. Smith read the passing lane. Pearson's looking for somebody to get it to. And this is where the little things, you've got to take care of the basketball. And this is a little bit where some of the Falcon, you know, the lack of varsity experience for some of these guys is really hurting them.

Payne gets it in. Irons throws it down to Roy. It's knocked away and stolen away. Roy fouls. Roy went up for it. So did Hogan's. And Hogan's had inside position. So the foul will be on Florence. The first team foul of the quarter. But with a 10-point lead, the Trojans had the basketball 94 feet away with 324 to go. Buckle up. It's going to get interesting. Already is. Parrish with it in backcourt. He has been outstanding off the bench for the Trojans. I have him with 15. Goes to the left-hand dribble.

Got away with a travel. Got it to Foster. Laid it up. Put it in. Ian Foster found a two-man game. And the lead cut to single digits for the first time. And Pearson double-team in the backcourt. Gets it to Jones. Jones finally gets it across the mid-court stride. Gets it to Lewis. To Payne. Step back. Three on the way. Won't go. Rebound taken by the Trojans. They have a chance to cut it to six or even five with 251 to go. Hogan's will bring it up the floor.

Left side. Smith back to Hogan. He's got a lane step. Kicked it in the corner. Foster for three. Short. No good. Rebound fought for her. Hogan saved it inbounds. Last touch by Muffin-Scholes. It'll stay with the Falcons. 2.35 to go in the game. That was a big stop right there for Florence. That was a huge stop there for Florence. You've got to really get this ball inbounded well. They've had trouble getting the ball up the court in these situations. Not sure what the stop or the officials are.

Just making sure of everything. Making sure they had the right call and maybe everything else. Dylan Burleson imploring his team. They get into Jones. He's double-teamed in the corner. Jones in trouble. Steps through the double-teamed. Gets it to Pearson. Pearson in backcourt. We'll bring up the floor. That's a great play by Jones right there not to panic. Pearson gets by one defender in the lane. Pearson goes around. Shot up good. Pearson puts it in. That's a big basket for Florence to go back up by 10. Quickly down the floor.

Come the Trojans. Wild shot. Put up block. No good. Pearson got the rebound and he's fouled. And that may be on Foster. And Foster just fouled out of the game. That was huge. And that puts Jay Shaw to the line. So that's a 10-point lead for the Falcons. Now shooting two with 2.09 left in this game. That's going to be huge there for the Falcons. Foster has really taken over and done quite well in this second half with 12 points. Ironside is a sleek spot back on the floor.

And they're going to clean that up. So Jay Shaw needs to step off the line for a minute while they're cleaning it up. I don't think both officials don't see it. Jay Shaw will shoot two. That's one of those where free throws up, no good. In fact, they should have been stopped while they're cleaning it up. They need to blow the whistle down here. Because Florence shouldn't have had to clean up the floor on one end while you're shooting free throws on the other. That's just my opinion on that one.

[1:40:24] 2.09 to go. 10-point lead. Missed the first. And the Trojans will substitute Smith into the game. This is a big free throw for Pearson. Got to hit this one. Got him unofficially with 15. I may be wrong with that. I probably am. That one rolled in, though. I may have had his points wrong, but he got the basket in. That's 14 on the back. 14 on the day. Florence knocked the pass away. So the Trojans have to inbound it. They'll pick up full court. Florence only has one team foul.

So they've got some fouls to give. And to knock away, this should be a turnover. And it is. Florence forced the turnover with the press. That was Roy and Pearson that forced that one. That was a big turnover with 2.09 to go. That was a great job there. You know, really, that relentless pressure that Florence gave forced that error there by Muscle Shoals. Deshaud will throw it all the way in to Payne at the top of the key at midcourt. Payne now will dribble, and Florence is going to spread it out some.

To Jones, to Pearson, to Irons. Irons picks up the dribble, looking, got it back to Roy. Nobody got him. He laid it up, and it will not go, but he's fouled. That was the right play by Roy right there, though. Cage Roy went and had a lane, but he got fouled. He had a clear lane to the basket, took it hard to the hole, got his ankles kicked into each other. And it appears that Draper has fouled out as well. So Draper and Foster both fouled out.

With 1.54 to go, Florence up by 11. Roy will shoot free throws. First one on the way, got it. His first points of the night, we'll take it. That's a big time to get it. Fulmer will check in for the shooter. The performer will wait on that one with 1.54 to go. Second free throw coming. And Roy knocks them both down. Cage Roy, thank you, my friend. That might have been your only two points. That was two big ones right there. Two huge points there for the Falcons, bringing the lead to 13 points.

Trojans having a little trouble getting in, finally do. Pearson making them work, coming up the floor. 1.50 to go, Florence up by 13. Hogan goes hard at the basket, laid it up, and he's fouled. Missed a horrible offensive foul there. On the screen. On the screen? On the screen. That was a, that was a, look. That would have been, if a guard was pulling on that one, that would have been a pancake block. Right there. 1.45 to go, and Hogan's will shoot two. First one's good. Payne will come back in the game.

Actually, it never went out, excuse me. It was most of the shows, defense for offense. We're courtside, by the way. Sometimes these officials will stand right in their way. It's hard to see always. Second free throw, Hogan's makes them both. And here's their full court pressure. Gets it in to Pearson. Double team. Got it back to Jones. Jones back court. Back to Pearson. And Pearson clears it out and gets across the mid-court strike. I like what Jones did. Pearson got by his defender. Goes up to the basket.

Laid it up. Wouldn't go, but he's fouled. He'll shoot two. Jayshod. He lulled them to sleep right there. And with 1.31 to go and 11-point lead, Pearson will shoot free throws. Our next broadcast Friday night in Madison at James Clemens, if all goes well. We hope to have that one for you. Be flexible with us on our schedule. We're doing all we can to get the games to you. We're going to have to work around some other sports in Alabama football. Sometimes personal matters, too. You have to work around those.

So we'll get all the games we can for you on the air when we can. Pearson to shoot two. First one on the way. Got it. I love that Jayden Irons ran over to the scorekeeper and said, Hey, how many fouls I got? Just a double check. I like that. You got to know how aggressive you can get. You know, and if you need to make a foul, you don't want to foul out. But at the same time, you want to be able to play as a graphic.

As aggressive as possible. Pearson makes both free throws. Roy will come back in the game. 76-63, a 13-point lead. The Falcons will pick up full court. They have a foul or two to give. They still can in this quarter. Paris will get it up the floor. Paris behind the back dribble to the right side. Trojans look for a screen up top. Hogan's a pull for three again and make it again. He can shoot the basketball. It's a little set shot, but it's pretty. The lead back down to 10.

Pearson front court for Florence at 1-0-10. A 1-10, excuse me. Got a step in the lane. Don't need to shoot it. Pulls it back out to Irons, and Irons holds it way up here. Irons hands it off to Roy. Roy gets it off to Jones. Now Florence running some clock. Jones keeps the dribble alive. Bring it back up. Get it to Irons. Irons has it with 50 seconds to go. Irons lost it. Ball started away. Paris got it. That went off the foot. Paris to the basket, trying to draw contact.

[1:45:46] Missed it. Rebound taken by the Trojans. Put up. No good. Rebound taken down by the Trojans again. Again, looking. Paris wants to get a three off. Can't a long twos on the way. Missed everything. Rebound fought for. Should be a jump ball. No whistle. Taken by the Trojans. They'll try another three. Hogan's open. That one goes no good. Rebound. This time taken by Florence. And Pearson will hold it with 30 seconds, and I think that might do it. The white flag may be waging. Need to blow a whistle here.

We've got to cramp up with one of our players. And Jay Sean Payne injured here. We've got to check on him. And Jay Sean's giving him a hard time the entire time. He goes, what are you doing, man? We're running out the clock. Yeah, he's just cramping up, walking out. Hey, great job. He's right here in front of us. Every coach, every coach can have to check on him. And Jay Sean says, hey, wave the crowd on. So, Florence will have it with 18 seconds to go.

Leading at 76-66. We just need to get it in bounds here. And Muscle Soles has waved the white flag. Neil Barker's a class coach. This team has fought hard. And they'll drop to 0-1. And Florence will get their first win of the season. And Jay Sean will hold the ball right here. Coach Dylan Burleson right in Jay Sean Pearson's face. And no, don't say a thing. And that'll do it. So, Florence wins it 76-66. Falcons get their first victory. And Florence gets it over their rival, Muscle Soles.

This is Falcon Basketball. We're back in one minute. At North Alabama Bone and Joint Clinic, our Shoals roots run deep. We provide quick access and familiar, friendly faces so you never have to feel just like a number. From sports medicine to joint replacement, expert care happens right here at home. As UNA Athletics' choice for orthopedics and the trusted orthopedic team of the Shoals families for over 30 years, North Alabama Bone and Joint Clinic is here for you. Learn more at nabjc.com. Getting the kids to practice on time.

Remembering if it's your day to bring snacks. Making it to the game with a clean jersey. Why are simple things sometimes so complicated? Thankfully, with auto owners, insurance doesn't have to be one of them. Auto owners works with independent agents who answer when you call. So you can worry about more important things like whether your kid is going to run toward first or third base. That's simple human sense. In Florence, see Luke Brown at Henniger Johnson & Layton Insurance. Call 256-764-8682. Back at the Coffee Gym, the TNT Fireworks postgame show.

We're good news for Falcon fans. Florence knocks off muscle shows. 76-66. Joined now by head coach Dylan Burleson. And coach, your team came out hot. And number one, Jason Payne had a career night. He had a career night. He was really good tonight. He got us going early. I felt like we found him early. I felt like throughout the rest of the game, whether it was the flow of the game, how the game was being called, what we were calling, while we lost him a couple times, I've got to do a better job of trying to create him or create him looks, especially when he catches heaters like that.

But he really got us going 24-6 at the end of the first quarter, I think. Our defense has got to get a whole lot better. 18 in the second. I think they had 21 in the third. I don't know how many in the fourth. But us being able to guard the ball, that's one thing we've got to improve on. But our guys responded, especially after the first start of the season. Just got to continue to work and get better. You win basket-to-basket with them in the fourth quarter, basically 20-18.

So you get the win 76-66. Your kids have fought hard all season already. This was big for them tonight. Just especially get a win over a rival, too. It really is. And I know, listen, this game and rivalry games in general, they can bring the best out of you. They can bring the worst out of you. It needs to be a game more than anything. There are so many extracurricular activities that go around on the outside. It's kids being kids at some point, but also it's a game.

We need to make sure that we keep it a game. What did your team learn about themselves tonight? Good days of practice can help you win games. I felt like we had a really good day of practice yesterday. I felt like we had a really good shoot around this afternoon. And that was part of the reason why we came out strong. And I hope that message is going to continue to be portrayed to them. But good practices lead to good games. And that is something that we have to do going forward.

I know you want to get in with your team real quick, but now you turn around, get ready Friday night, area game. It's big with James Pimmons, if I'm not mistaken. So first area game of the year on the road. This is big coming up. You've got to get ready for that. Yes, sir. At JC on Friday, they've got a really good team. They remind me a lot of us from last year. They've got some length. They've got some shooters. It'll be a dogfight for sure, but we're ready for the challenge.

We're going to have two really good days of practice. We're 0-0 come Friday night. We've got to continue to get better. Coach, bring the sports code. I like it. It's a good thing. I do, too. All right, Coach, have fun. Congratulations. Appreciate it. The head coach of the Florence Falcons, Dylan Burleson, whose team wins it by a score of 76-66 over Muscle Shoals and a big win for his team tonight here against a really good Muscle Shoals team. And, Mike, you know, when you look at the game, it really was won maybe in the first quarter the way Florence came out and took control, had to battle all the way down to the end.

[1:51:11] But you've got to say the Falcons found a way to win it. They certainly did. And, you know, they did exactly what they needed to do to come away with this victory. They did the little things, fighting for second-chance points, a lot of offensive rebounds in that first quarter, being able to kick it back out to J.C. on pain, who caught that heater, hit a bunch of threes in that first quarter there and really led the Falcons quite well. The Falcons did a great job on defense when they needed to and really buckled down and got a stop.

And really and truly, it's going to be games like this that are going to continue to grow this team. This is still a relatively new and young team, but not a lot of varsity experience. So being able to get out there and play a close game like this with a rival, with the emotions being high, is definitely going to help this team moving forward. And the next time Florence sees Muscle Shoals, which will be at Trojans' home, they'll have probably eight team games under their belt.

It'll be a different Trojans team than being two because they've got talent. They're going to be okay. They've got a ton of talent all over the court. You saw it come together a little bit better in the second half. They really shot the ball better. They worked together as a unit. Defensively, they were able to lock some things down. So, you know, this team's going to do some big things at the 6A level for sure. Well, let's get our final stats brought to us by our good friends at Chick-fil-A.

Mike Albertson, take it away. Thanks, KJ. Well, leading the way for Muscle Shoals with Cameron Hogan with 15 points. Ray Foster with 14. Gavin Parrish with 13. KJ Cowan with four. Tywin Smith with six. Draper had seven. Corian Ricks with three points. Kyrian King with two points. And Jashad Samples with two points leading the way for the Falcons. J.C. On Payne with 35 points. J.C. Pearson with 16. Kaywin Jones with five. Skip Worth finished with two. Cage Roy with two. Cooper Fulmer had five points. J. Niners with four.

Three for J.B. and Lewis. And two, or four, for the freshman, Zylan Barnett. Florence led it 27-8 after one. They led it at the half, 42-24. Muscle Shoals trimmed the lead to 58-46 and got it down to single digits. But the Falcons hit free throws down the stretch, made plays down the stretch and get a victory tonight, 76-66 over the Muscle Shoals Trojans. So good news for Falcon fans. Like that one. Put that one in the books. And now get ready for this coming Friday night on the road to take on the Jets of James Clemens High School.

For our station manager, Greg Thornton, James Moody, our station engineer, my good friend Mike Albertson, I'm Kevin Johnson. Good news. Falcons win it 76-66. We'll see you Friday night when they're coming up with a big game against James Clemens. And most of all, folks, good night, and we'll see you in church on Sunday. Have a good night, everyone. You've been listening to Florence Falcons Basketball on Sports Radio 93.9, The Score. Florence Falcons Basketball on 93.9, The Score has been brought to you by Florence Utilities, Florence City Schools, the law firm of Johnson Pasture Medley and Virtual, Lost Pizza, North Alabama Bone and Joint Clinic, TNT Fireworks, Yogurt Mountain, Whataburger, Singing River Dentistry, Bank Independent, Irons Electric, Cypress Creek Indoor Range, and Hennigar Johnson & Layton Insurance.

Thanks for listening, and go Falcons! Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the next video.