Semoball

Three Rivers dismisses leading scorer

In this Feb. 2, 2019, photo, Tristan Jarrett (4) drives to the basket during the first half of a Region XVI game against State Fair.
Nate Fields ~ Daily American Republic

In an already troublesome season for Three Rivers, the Raiders will have to move forward without their top player.

Sophomore Tristan Jarrett was dismissed from the team Monday for a violation of team rules. Jarrett was the second-leading scorer in the NJCAA and team’s leader in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.

Jarrett finished the season with 12 30-point games and 11 double-doubles, and his 29 points per game had him on pace for the highest single-season scoring average in Three Rivers history.

“He just broke a training rule,” Three Rivers coach Gene Bess said. “And he’s a good basketball player, he just has some issues in his life. I wish him the best. … I hope he gets it all together. It’s unfortunate.”

It’s been a tough year for the Raiders, who have a 10-16 record and are on pace for their second consecutive losing season, the only two losing seasons in Bess’s 49-year tenure as head coach.

“It’ll just have to be a team effort,” Bess said. “You know, we didn’t win with him, so I’m not getting all bent out of shape. I think we’ll have some guys step up, and we’ve got some good potential on this team.”

The Raiders previously lost forward Jay Hines to academic ineligibility; redshirt sophomore Chris Stocks transferred to play for Evangel; sophomore Willie Lucas has been out since Nov. 17 with a foot injury; Dionte Raines is redshirting to recover from a leg injury and hasn’t played a game this season, so the losses of personnel have kept piling up for Three Rivers as the season carries on.

“That goes with the territory,” Bess said. “That’s what you sign up for when you coach. You’ve got to handle all the situations. You don’t need to complain. You just need to go do your job and do it to the best of your ability, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Bess hasn’t decided who will step into the vacant starting role to fill Jarrett’s spot. It’ll either be Redshirt freshman Miganeh Jama, who averages six points per game but has made his biggest contributions over the last seven games, or Austin Parker.

Over the last seven games, Jama has amassed five double-figure outings, including a season-high 20 points in the team’s loss against Missouri State-West Plains Saturday. Parker averages 7.6 points per game and would fill a frontcourt role, moving either Khalil Johnson or Abiodun Ayetimiyi into a role as a primary ball handler. Bess is still trying to figure out what will work best for the players’ skill sets.

“I like (Jama) on the baseline, and he likes to play the point,” Bess said. “It’ll kind of depend upon how effective he is. I’m looking for Khalil or (Ayetimiyi) to run the point right at this moment.”

Nonetheless, the decision will be made before Tuesday’s home game against Arkansas Baptist. The Raiders played a road game against Arkansas Baptist Jan. 22, which they lost 81-71.

“Last time we played them they were really motivated and played hard,” Bess said. “I think we have a good scouting report on them and know what they’re going to do, it’s just a matter of going out and doing it.”

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the Libla Family Sports Complex.

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