Hot start boosts Godby to 21 point win over FAMU DRS, Cougars jump to 5-0

Getting off to a quick start has been key to Godby's early success in boys basketball this season.

After a slow start in a recent game against Leon - even if the Cougars outscored the Lions 14-8 in the first quarter - Godby made it a priority Tuesday night to be on top of FAMU DRS from the opening tip.

The Cougars gave the Baby Rattlers little to no breathing room in the first quarter as they outscored FAMU DRS, 26-6. Godby was fast, aggressive, and consistent. Even when FAMU DRS went on a fourth-quarter run to cut a 20-point deficit to nine, Godby did not break.

Visiting Godby dispatched FAMU DRS, 84-63 to add another tally to the Cougars' undefeated stretch (5-0) to open the season. The veteran-heavy squad has won four of its five games by 10 points or more.

"It's always when you're on the road," Cougars head coach Andonte Gennie said. "I thought our guys responded well to our slow start against Leon and that was one thing that we talked about all week, and I thought we did a great job executing that."

Godby valued its defense-first early on, which led to baskets in its transition game. And the effort wasn't just one or two players carrying the load. Senior guards Tajden Davis and Isaiah Batts both had six points in that stretch, followed by senior guard Zavier Singleton with five and senior forward Rico Thompson with four.

Davis and Bates remained consistent on the scoring end. Davis scored a team-high 19 points and Bates added 11. Senior guard Ke’darrius Brownlee played a clutch role in the second half, scoring 12 of his 16 points in the final two quarters.

Godby had a balanced effort throughout and had control of the Rattlers...for the most part. In the third quarter, FAMU DRS found a spark from outside the arc, draining five 3-pointers and outscoring Godby, 25-13.

Senior guards Tearrius Jackson and Caleb Bryant were the hot hands in that stretch, combining for four of DRS' five treys in that quarter. The Baby Rattlers pulled within nine points, but the Cougars quickly refocused.

"I called a timeout towards the end of the third quarter to get my guys back under control and keep their composure," Gennie said. "In every game, a team is going to go on a run. I thought they showed character to weather that storm and fight back."

Godby flexed its strength inside the paint, leading to trips to the foul line as the Cougars converted 6-of-11 free throws. Gennie said that his team knew to drive into the paint, and in the fourth quarter, it paid off.

"From the scouting report, they knew that they needed to attack that rim," Gennie said. "They did a great job doing that throughout the entire game and getting into the bonus early. They showed a lot of heart tonight."

It's very early in the season, but Godby has jumped out as one of the strongest teams in the Big Bend. Against DRS, the Cougars featured four players into double figures and 11 players scored. Gennie credits the large veteran roster - it features nine seniors - as one of the reasons why Godby has been so successful early.

"I've got eight to nine seniors on this team, and with their experience, that's a big key to our success this year," Gennie said. "I tell them every day that we're only going to go as far as our seniors, so our seniors are going to be a big key this year."

The Cougars are playing a Big Bend heavy schedule this season, facing Lincoln and Chiles next week. Godby picked up a few important lessons in finding success on the road against the Baby Rat

"The biggest thing was that we came into someone else's house and getting a win," Gennie said. "First game against Leon was a roadkill win and so was this one. We want to get those wins on the road."

Jack Williams covers prep sports for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com, on Twitter @jackgwilliams, or over phone at 701-270-1075.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Hot start boosts Godby to 21 point win over FAMU DRS, Cougars jump to 5-0