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Jaylen Pegues, Hillsboro boys basketball seniors stuck together to reach District 12-AAA finals





Hillsboro senior Jaylen Pegues (1) dribbles the ball upcourt during a game against Antioch on Feb. 23.Jay Sowers/Main Street Media

Hillsboro senior Jaylen Pegues (1) dribbles the ball upcourt during a game against Antioch on Feb. 23.Jay Sowers/Main Street Media

Jaylen Pegues froze briefly at the arc, then slid through the lane with a Euro step. 

His layup capped a short run that sent Hillsboro into halftime with a comfortable lead after it warded off a pesky Antioch squad most of the half.

Pegues shined Tuesday, but he wasn’t the only one to thank for the Burros’ 68-49 victory, which moved Hillsboro into the District 12-AAA finals.

After finishing with 23 points, he took a minute to ponder what this season would be like without the rest of his starting five.

“It would’ve been tough,” said Pegues, a Furman signee averaging 28 points. “I’m definitely glad we have them.”

Hillsboro (8-0) and other Metro Nashville Public School basketball teams have dealt with tougher COVID-19 restrictions than some other districts. Forced to start basketball season in February, and with the fear it might not start at all, some players saw the writing on the wall and moved to other schools.

But Hillsboro mostly stuck together. Only one starter from last year chose to leave and enroll at a private school.

Hillsboro High School basketball player Jalen Macon screams after drawing an and-one foul during Tuesday's game against Antioch.Jay Sowers

Hillsboro High School basketball player Jalen Macon screams after drawing an and-one foul during Tuesday’s game against Antioch.Jay Sowers

What’s left is a senior-laden group that has won its games by an average of nearly 40 points heading into Wednesday’s district final against Cane Ridge.

“I’ve been at this school for three years. Before this, I was at MLK Middle School. I’ve always been here. It would have been disloyal for me to leave,” Pegues said. “We’ve all got great parents. They all taught us that (Hillsboro) was our place.

“Like Jalen, he’s my life-long brother. I’ve known him since I was 5.”

That would be Hillsboro forward Jalen Macon. He and Pegues played on what used to be the Tennessee Flyers, coached by longtime area mentor Todd Lark. They’re both still in that program.

Hillsboro coach Rodney Thweatt knew he might face some departures this year. But his group of seniors — city champions as freshmen, district champions as sophomores and regional champions last year — is particularly close-knit.

Hillsboro High School basketball player Jaylen Pegues, center, puts up a contested shot during Tuesday's game against Antioch.Jay Sowers

Hillsboro High School basketball player Jaylen Pegues, center, puts up a contested shot during Tuesday’s game against Antioch.Jay Sowers

“For those guys to wait around just to play seven games for me, I will always be indebted and appreciate the character they had,” Thweatt said. “Because they had options to do whatever they wanted to do.”

Pegues can’t wait to see what’s next in this odd season.

He and the Burros overcame the absence of Desmond Henderson and Caymin Patterson, who missed the Antioch game due to COVID-19 protocol. Hillsboro led by just six points with about three minutes before halftime, despite winning the teams’ first meeting by 36.

A 9-0 run before intermission upped Hillsboro’s halftime lead to 15 and the margin only grew from there. Tehlor Buford (13 point) and Thaddeus Johnson (12 points) helped offset the absence of Henderson and Patterson. The two seniors could still be out for the district championship.

Antioch rode Jonathan Hailey’s hot hand for much of the night. He finished with 19 points and three 3-pointers.

Hillsboro High School basketball player Tehlor Buford, left, chases down a lose ball after forcing a turnover during Tuesday's game.Jay Sowers

Hillsboro High School basketball player Tehlor Buford, left, chases down a lose ball after forcing a turnover during Tuesday’s game.Jay Sowers

Pegues, who is averaging 28 points, was a constant throughout.

When baskets weren’t falling early, he set the tone for Hillsboro with a huge block against the backboard.

“That’s my guy. He’s the last one I’d worry about going somewhere (else),” Thweatt said. “He bleeds green and gold. In this day and time, that’s hard to find. It’s more about what can the uniform do for me and less (about) what can I give the team. He’s a rare bird.”


BOX SCORE

ANTIOCH (49): Jonathan Hailey 19, Kaviere Patrick 8, Patrick Watts 6, Montavious Duncan 3, Tyson Belton 4, Justin Brown 1, Allen Kissech 5, Tremaine James 2.

HILLSBORO (68): Jaylen Pegues 23, Thaddeus Johnson 12, Tehlor Buford 13, Caden Herron 9, Jalen Macon 9, Murphy Strickland 2.

Jalen Macon shoots a free throw during the Hillsboro Burros' game Tuesday against Antioch.Jay Sowers

Jalen Macon shoots a free throw during the Hillsboro Burros’ game Tuesday against Antioch.Jay Sowers

Hillsboro High School head basketball coach Rodney Thweatt talks to his team during a timeout Tuesday.Jay Sowers

Hillsboro High School head basketball coach Rodney Thweatt talks to his team during a timeout Tuesday.Jay Sowers

Antioch High School senior Jonathan Hailey drives toward the basket during Tuesday's game at Hillsboro High School.JAY SOWERS

Antioch High School senior Jonathan Hailey drives toward the basket during Tuesday’s game at Hillsboro High School.JAY SOWERS

Antioch High School senior Jeremiah Dixon calls out a play during Tuesday's game against Hillsboro High School.JAY SOWERS

Antioch High School senior Jeremiah Dixon calls out a play during Tuesday’s game against Hillsboro High School.JAY SOWERS

Antioch High School senior Jonathan Hailey stares down the Hillsboro defense Tuesday evening.JAY SOWERS

Antioch High School senior Jonathan Hailey stares down the Hillsboro defense Tuesday evening.JAY SOWERS

Hillsboro High School varsity basketball player Caden Herron shoots an open 3-point shot during Tuesday's game against Antioch.JAY SOWERS

Hillsboro High School varsity basketball player Caden Herron shoots an open 3-point shot during Tuesday’s game against Antioch.JAY SOWERS

Players from Antioch and Hillsboro chase after a loose ball Tuesday evening during their game at Hillsboro High School.JAY SOWERS

Players from Antioch and Hillsboro chase after a loose ball Tuesday evening during their game at Hillsboro High School.JAY SOWERS

 

 

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