Eagles bite the Bulldogs
Rusk dominates Carthage in 2nd half for a big district win
BY LELAND ACKER STAFF WRITER

Cambry Blakemore (14) sets a screen while Sheena Henderson (10) makes a move toward the basket during the Lady Eagles' 56-41 loss to the Carthage Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Eagles played well against Carthage, taking an 18-17 lead in the first half, but Lady Bulldogs put together a 4th quarter run to win the game. PHOTO: LELAND ACKER

The Rusk Eagles got off to a quick start over the Carthage Bulldogs after Brent Jones hit two three-pointers, giving the Eagles an 8-0 lead to begin the game. The Bulldogs did not bow out gracefully, however, as they sank two consecutive threepointers to take the lead in the 2nd quarter. Rusk struggled at the free-throw line in the first half and went to the locker room behind 27-25.

Lots of shots were made from downtown as the Eagles sank six three-pointers in all, while the Bulldogs made five.

The Eagles shut down the Carthage offense in the 2nd half, holding the Bulldogs to just 21 points. Meanwhile the Eagles stayed busy, with three-pointers being made by Jones, Chance Cleaver and John Michael Jackson. Jackson made his at the buzzer concluding the 3rd quarter. Rusk opened the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run.

The momentum stayed with the Eagles throughout the 4th quarter as they outscored the Bulldogs 23-9 to go on to win the game 65-48.

"This was a really good road game, we did really welll," said Head Coach Tracy Kincade. "Holding (the Bulldogs) to 21 points in the 2nd half in their gym is huge."

Coach Kincade said defensive rebounding was the difference in the 2nd half as the Eagles did not allow many second chance shots. Jones led the scoring with 17 points, followed by J.J. Session with 13 and Jackson with 12. The win propels the Eagles to a 2-3 district record. Carthage falls to 1-4.

Eagles bit by Crockett

The Crockett Bulldogs bit the Eagles hard in the 1st half, leading to a 21-point half time lead that Rusk could not recover from during a district game played Tuesday, Jan. 9.

"They killed us with freethrows in the first half," said Coach Kincade. "They got us into foul trouble early."

Crockett utilized a full-court zone defense well, frustrating the Rusk offense and forcing several Eagle turnovers. This resulted in two big 1st quarter runs that put the Bulldogs ahead 30-16. The momentum continued that way through much of the 1st half.

The Eagles were only outscored 36-31 in the 2nd half, but still finished on the short end of a 92-66 score.

Horrace Lewis was the lead scorer with 14 points, while Jackson and Session finished with 12 points each. Demarcus Skinnner and Jones both sank three-pointers.

Lady Eagles hang tough

Jasmine Harris was perfect from the free-throw line and scored 20 points to keep the Lady Eagles close, but when the dust settled Carthage had pulled out a 56-41 win.

The Lady Eagle full court trap defense worked well in the first half, forcing several turnovers, helping Rusk take an 18-17 lead with 5:05 left in the 1st half. However, Carthage put together an 11-3 run just before half-time to take the lead 28-20. Carthage stayed consistent in the 2nd half to take the win 56-41.

The Rusk Lady Eagles struggled against Crockett, falling by a score of 62-27. Cambry Blakemore was the lead scorer with 13 points, sinking two of two free-throw attempts while Harris scored eight, making four of six free-throw attemts. Amanda Session scored six points.
        Box Scores
        CROCKETT AT RUSK
            Boys Varsity Jan. 9
Crockett 30     26     18   18   --   92
Rusk     16     19     16   15   --   66
SCORING- Rusk: Horrace Lewis 14, J.J. Session 12, John Michael Jackson 12, Chance Cleaver 6, Bobby McDuff 6, Brent Jones 5, Demarcus Skinner 5, Eddie Harris 2, John David Beard 2. Crockett: Collins 23, Earp 19, Lee 14, Martinez 12, Cooper 10, Carter 8, Bacon 3, Jones 2, McCullough 2, Henry 2. THREE POINTERS- Rusk: Brent Jones 1, Demarcus Skinner 1. Crockett: Earp 3, Cooper 1.
        RUSK AT CARTHAGE
              Girls JV Jan. 12
Rusk       7       6     3     7   --   23
Carthage   8     16     8     6   --   38
SCORING- Rusk: Session 16, Smith 4, Hicks 1. Carthage: Wicks 9, Smith 8, Roberts 6, Sios 4, Lee 4, Ross 3, Jackson 2, Lister 2.
            Girls Varsity Jan. 12
Rusk     12       8     15     6   --   41
Carthage 17     11     16   14   --   56
SCORING- Rusk: Jasmine Harris 20, Amanda Session 8, Cambry Blakemore 6, Rachel Hicks 4, Sheena Henderson 2, Charnell Franklin 1. Carthage: Shireana Robinson 13, Jamesha Hicks 11, Ashley Smith 10, Cathryn Rittenberry 8, Courtney Stutes 5, Raven Tatum 4, Chantilla Roberts 3, Cornisha Willie 2, Ashley Robinson 2. FREE THROWS- Rusk: Harris 4-4, Franlkin 1-2. Carthage: S. Robinson 5-8, A. Smith 2-4, Rittenberry 1-2, Stutes 1-1, J. Hicks 1-1. THREE POINTERS- Carthage: C. Roberts 1, Rittenbury 1. NEXT UP: Rusk at Hudson, 5 p.m. Jan. 19. Rusk at Diboll, 5 p.m. Jan 23.
            Boys Varsity Jan. 12
Rusk     16       9     17   23   --   65
Carthage 14     13     12     9   --   48
SCORING- Rusk: Brent Jones 17, J.J. Session 13, John Michael Jackson 12, Horrace Lewis 8, Eddie Harris 7, Chance Cleaver 3, Demarcus Skinner 3, John David Beard 2. Carthage: Marcus Bowman 22, T. Allison 6, Richard Lyles 5, Alex Cameron 4, Rodney Chadwick 4, J.D. Hicks 3, Dustin Skiller 2, Byron Kirkling 2. FREE THROWS- Rusk: Jones 3-4, Jackson 3-5, Skinner 1-2, Harris 1-2, Session 1- 5. Carthage: Allison 0-1, Chadwick 2-2, Bowman 1-2. THREE POINTERS- Rusk: Jones 4, Cleaver 1, Jackson 1. Carthage: Bowman 3, Hicks 1, Lyles 1. NEXT UP: Rusk at Hudson, 5 p.m. Jan. 19, Rusk at Diboll, 5 p.m. Jan 23.