Eagles spread wings heading into District 20-3A competition
Rusk goes 2-2 at Great East Texas Shootout, falls to Bullard by 1 point
BY LELAND ACKER

Eagle guard Demarcus Skinner escapes the pursuit of Jacksonville's Jeremy Chappelle during an earlier game against the Fightin' Indians. Rusk lost to Jacksonville before dropping a one-point game to Bullard and going 2-2 in the Great East Texas Shootout. Rusk is 4-4 on the season. PHOTO: LYNN LITTLEJOHN

With just more than a week left before the Rusk Eagles open district play against Diboll, Head Boys Basketball Coach Tracy Kincade is working to bring the Feathered Flock up to speed.

The Eagles dropped a nailbiter to Bullard 39-38 at Rusk High School Gymnasium Dec. 4.

"Our defense was outstanding," Coach Kincade said. "We had too many turnovers and only shot 16 of 28 free throws. If we can improve in those two areas, we will be fine."

J.J. Session led the scoring with 13 points. Other scorers for Rusk include: Horrace Lewis (10), Terrance Turner (4), Michael Katon (4), John David Beard (3), Demarcus Skinner (2) and Bobby McDuff (1).

The JV stayed unbeaten by defeating Bullard 53-51. Cornelius Lewis led the scoring with 27 points. Other scorers were: Kalen Skinner (8), Chase Anderson (4), Delshawn Session (4), Raymond Pyle, Tony Teague, Nicky Cleveland, Brandon Downs and Marcell Johnson with two points each. The JV's record was 5-0 after the Bullard win.

Kristen Hicks reels in a rebound for the Rusk Lady Eagles during an earlier game against Malakoff. Rusk will play in the Athens tournament Thursday through Saturday before traveling to Hudson Tuesday. PHOTO: LELAND ACKER

The Freshmen team lost to Bullard 49-47, with Derek Sanders leading the scoring with 14 points. Other frosh scorers were: Josh Randolph (13), Ray Harris (10), Andrew Crumo (5), Montrell Session (3), Austin Davis and Dillon Fitts (one each). The Freshman's loss to Bullard dropped them to a record of 3-2.

Eagles split games in Great

East Texas Shootout

The Eagle varsity then traveled to Brownsboro to play in the Great East Texas Shootout tournament Thursday through Saturday. Rusk went 2-2 in the tournament.

"We didn't play that well in the tournament," Coach Kincade said. "We need to improve our free throw shooting and limit our turnovers."

Rusk won the opening round against the T.K. Gorman Crusaders 51-50 on a last second shot by J.J. Session. Session led the Eagle scoring efforts against the Crusaders with 16 points. Other scorers were Demarcus Skinner (9), Horrace Lewis (9), John David Beard (7), Michael Katon (4), Terrance Turner (4), Tim Harris (2) and Quinn Anthony (2).

The Eagles then lost to Canton 67-65. Lead scorer was Skinner with 15 points, followed by Session (13), Lewis (10), Beard (7), Katon (6), Turner (4), Taj Cleaver (4) and Anthony (3).

Rusk pulled out a 60-58 win over Gladewater, with Lewis having a breakout game with 20 points, five steals and seven rebounds. Other scorers were Session (16) Katon (7), Skinner (6), Beard (4), Turner (4) and Cleaver (3).

Rusk finished the tournament with a 67-44 loss to Caddo Mills, who is ranked third in Texas in Class 2A.

"We were hurt by foul trouble the entire game," Coach Kincade said. "They were in the double bonus in the first quarter and we had three starters in foul trouble. Caddo Mills is a very good team."

Lewis did not play in the game due to ACT testing. Katon led scoring with 11 points, followed by Session (10), Skinner (6) and Beard (6).

Rusk is 4-4 and will play in the Tatum tournament Thursday through Saturday. The Eagles open District 20- 3A play on Friday, Dec. 21 in Diboll. The games will begin at 5 p.m.

Lady Eagles head to Athens

The Rusk Lady Eagles will play in the Athens tournament Thursday through Friday before traveling to Hudson on Tuesday. The Lady Eagles will then join the boys on the road to Diboll.