The Stephenson Jaguars used a strong second half performance to knock off the Druid Hills Dragons 55-41 for the DCSD Middle School Boys' Basketball Championships title.

The Stephenson Jaguars used a strong second half performance to knock off the Druid Hills Dragons 55-41 for the DCSD Middle School Boys’ Basketball Championships title.

Terry Coleman took over in the third quarter to power the Stephenson Jaguars to a 55-41 win over the Druid Hills Dragons and captured the DeKalb County Middle School Boys’ Basketball Championship title at Miller Grove on Saturday.

Stephenson (15-1) had trailed all but once in the second quarter until Coleman closed the game to 19-18 with a big three-pointer with two seconds left before the half.

Coleman took the momentum into the second half scoring 14 of his team’s 18 points in the third quarter as the defense held Druid Hils to just one basket and six points overall.

The eighth grader tied the game at 19-19 by hitting one of two free throws and then gave the Jaguars the lead for good with a drive to the basket with 4:20 to play in the period. Rodericus Rogers followed with an offensive rebound and basket to make it 23-19.

Phillip Claybrooks answered with a drive to close it back to within two (21-23) with 3:12 to play before Coleman went on a personal 9-0 run. Coleman opened it with a three-pointer to go with four free throws and another drive to push the

Stephenson's Terry Coleman (4) drives against Druid Hills' TJ Scott during first half play of the DCSD Middle School Boys' Basketball Championship title game. Coleman would go on to score 22 of his 33 points in the second half to power his team to the title and earn MVP honors. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Stephenson’s Terry Coleman (4) drives against Druid Hills’ TJ Scott during first half play of the DCSD Middle School Boys’ Basketball Championship title game. Coleman would go on to score 22 of his 33 points in the second half to power his team to the title and earn MVP honors. (Photo by Mark Brock)

lead over double digits at 32-21 with 1:37 left in the third quarter.

Claybrooks hit four of six from the line for Druid Hills the rest of the way while Coleman went 4-4 and King Abrams 2-2 for the Jaguars to go up 36-25 with a quarter to play.

Abrams hit a three-point play to open the fourth quarter that was answered by Druid Hills’ Bryson Hunter as the Dragons showed signs of life.

Coleman made sure there would be no comeback hitting for eight more points in the quarter including a three-point play and two more free throws (12-14 in the half) as part of a 7-0 run with Ethan Capers adding a basket to push the lead to 47-29.

Druid Hills would get no closer than 14 the rest of the way despite the efforts of Claybrooks, who had 10 points in the final quarter.

Coleman finished the game with 33 points to be named the game’s Most Valuable Player in leading the Jaguars. Rogers finished with seven points and nine rebounds for the Dragons.

Claybrooks matched Coleman with 33 points in the game to lead Druid Hills (13-3).