Family first for Adam Jones
Kings 89 Kodiaks 77
There was a time this week when it appeared as if Adam Jones’ Alberta Colleges Men’s Basketball League career was over.
Jones left the RDC Kings early last week to return to Grande Prairie in an effort to help his family, who live in Las Vegas, with some financial issues which came about because of medical expenses.
“Family issues came up and they needed me to help out financially,” explained Jones. “I sent the money I had in my account to them and talked with coach (Craig Behan) and told him I couldn’t do it and needed to be elsewhere.”
Jones worked in Grande Prairie for close to a week before working out a couple issues. He returned to RDC Wednesday and played a major role in the Kings 89-77 victory over the Lethbridge Kodiaks at RDC Friday.
“I made some money in Grande Prairie and worked out something with Athabasca in terms of a payment plan,” explained Jones, who is taking a number of courses online through Athabasca University. “Coach Behan and (athletic director) Keith Hansen were tremendous to me and helped any way they could legally. I’m extremely grateful to them for their help. And I missed the team. It definitely was not the way I wanted my career to end.”
Neither did Behan, although he understands family comes first.
“Basketball is secondary,” he said. “But it worked out for him and the situation became clearer and positive and he was able to return. The fact he’s taking courses online was a benefit as he didn’t miss any schooling.”
Jones looked a bit rusty in the first half Friday, but by the middle of the fourth quarter was showing the form that made him an All-Canadian last season.
He drove the lane on three straight possessions and then nailed a three to put the Kings ahead for good.
“What a gusty performance . . . watching him play was just awesome,” said Behan. “I thank God we have him back.”
Jones said he wasn’t at his best early on.
“I wasn’t away long, but you lose it quickly,” he said. “I was sluggish in the first half, but got it going again.”
The win was huge for the Kings, 13-4, as they moved four points up on the Kodiaks, 11-6, in the battle for second place in the South Division with three games remaining.
“This was a big weekend for us and by the grace of God he made it possible for me to be here,” said Jones. “It was a playoff atmosphere . . . it was definitely a fun game and a good welcome back.”
The Kings got an outstanding effort from their top players with Randy Davis leading the way with 31 points and six rebounds while Billy McNutt had 16 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Guard Brett Gaudreau had an outstanding game with 16 points while Jones finished with 11. Former Notre Dame Cougar Denver Corbiere led the Kodiaks with 25 points and six rebounds while Logan Mendenhall had 16 points and Ndale Philbert 15.
“The guys knew what they had to do and our best players were our best players,” said Behan. “The second half we came out and ran our offence, something we got way from in the first half. The guys started believing in the system and were giving the ball to the right guys.”
Kodiaks 78 Queens 28
The Queens were no match for the No. 1 ranked team in the country.
“There’s a reason why they’re No. 1 and there’s no doubt in my mind they deserve to be,” said Queens head coach Dawn Smyth following the 78-28 loss to the Kodiaks.
“They’re obviously good and we got a chance to see what makes them that way.”
Still Smyth would have liked a little better effort.
“We got some opportunities, but didn’t shoot well (23.9 per cent) and they forced us into a lot of turnovers (40). Everyone has to be accountable including myself.”
The Queens. 1-16, host the Kodiaks, 16-1, again today at 1 p.m. with the men to follow.
• Queens second-year guard Aly Bowd, a Lindsay Thurber grad, was presented with the Wayne Lalor scholarship.
Contact Danny Rode at drode@reddeeradvocate.com
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