Jordan showed its was too fast for Washington-Wilkes as the pressing defense and fast-break offense declawed the visiting Tigers 88-50 in the first round of the GHSA Class AA basketball tournament.

"We played our game and they played theirs and I don't think they have seen anyone play at our tempo," Jordan coach Gerald Turner said. "I liked our effort out there."

Jordan wasted no time in cranking up the offense as the Red Jackets forced five turnovers and raced to a 21-2, first-quarter advantage. Two time outs by the Tigers did not seem to slow the Red Jackets down.

Leading the way was the guard play of Tony Palmer and Demetrius Daniels. Palmer had 16 points in the quarter and he and Daniels combined for seven 3s in the first stanza as the Tigers tried a zone and then a man-to-man defense to no avail.

In fact Palmer had 26 of his game-high 30 points before the half as the Jackets raced out to a 57-19 advantage. Washington-Wilkes never recovered from that first barrage.

"We have six seniors on this bunch that went on the road last year in the playoffs and they know what this is all about," said Turner of his team. "I think we are jelling at the right time and if we can play at this level consistently though the playoffs, we will reach our goal."

"I like this bunch of players, Turner said. "They are disciplined and are doing what they need to do to win and play together; we just have to keep it up."

Three other Jordan players were in double figures with Zay Smith getting 17, Jamar Shepperd with 15 and Daniels 12. The Tigers' 6-4 forward Devon Lewis, who was the team's leading scorer, had only 14 points and 10 of those were after halftime, when the end result was not in doubt.

Jordan will host Dade County, a 80-72 winner over Wesleyan, on Saturday in the second round.

Wednesday at Jordan

Washington-Wilkes 7 12 17 14--50

Jordan 30 27 22 9--88

Jordan (88)

Tony Palmer 30, Zay Smith 17. Jamar Shepperd 15, Demetrious 12, Cyrus Smith 8, Jones 4, Pearce 4, Cameron Smith 2, M. Palmer 1.

Washington-Wilkes (50)

Devon Lewis 14, T. Jones 2, Blackburn 8, Hardigree 4, Graves 4, Harris 6, Leguines 2, Keiser 3, Stripling 5.

Records-Jordan 19-6, Washington-Wilkes 14-15. Next--Jordan, home Saturday vs. Dade County, Time TBA