Rusk teams gear up for January
Eagles down Winona, Lady Eagles battle Central, Hudson
BY LELAND ACKER

J.J. Session tries m to get past a defender during a recent Rusk High School basketball game. Session has emerged as the rebounding leader for the Rusk Eagles.

Continuing to prepare for brutal District 20-3A competition, the Rusk Eagles faced off with #2 Pittsburg on Dec. 13.

"Our kids stepped up to the challenge and played with a top team in the state," said Head Coach Tracy Kincade. "I was proud of them."

The Eagles fell behind 23-8 in the first quarter, but kept pace with Pittsburg, finishing short by a score of 41-63. Horrace Lewis led the scoring for the Eagles with 12 points, followed by Demarcus Skinner with 11 points. J.J. Session contributed with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Other scorers were: Terrance Turner (3), Tim Harris (3) and Quinn Anthony (2).

The Eagles then faced McLoud on Dec. 14, winning 71-67 in overtime.

"Our defense must improve," Coach Kincade said. "Our turnovers were better this game as we only had 12."

Skinner had a breakout game with 22 points, nine steals and four rebounds. John David Beard complemented Skinner's performance with eight points and eight assists. Other leaders were: Session (14), Lewis (11), Bobby McDuff (9), Michael Katon (3) Taj Cleaver and Anthony (two points each).

Le'Asha O'Neal l defends against an Alto guard during an earlier match-up between the two Cherokee County schools. The Rusk Lady Eagles got off to a strong start, but have struggled lately. Their current record is 6-10, 0-2 in District 20-3A. PHOTOS: LYNN LITTLEJOHN

Rusk beats Winona in OT

Rusk gave up a 14-point lead going into the fourth quarter, forcing the Eagles into overtime to beat Winona 56-55.

"We did not play well," Coach Kincade said. "We were fortunate to get a win. We had 28 turnovers and shot eight of 25 from the free throw line."

Session led the scoring with 16 points, followed by Lewis (13), Katon (7), Skinner (6), Anthony (5), Beard (4), Turner (3) and McDuff (2).

Lady Eagles drop first 2

district games

Despite big improvements in playing ability and participation numbers, the Rusk Lady Eagles have not been able to attain a win in District 20-3A. The Lady Eagles fell to Hudson 59-54 on Dec. 18 after building a 29-23 halftime score. Cambry Blakemore had a good night with 21 points, followed by Le'Asha O'Neal (6), Charnell Franklin (6) Lisa Frauenberger (5), Christa Adams (5), Jasmine Harris (5), Brittney Session (3) and Rachel Simmons (2).

Blakemore and Frauenberger both made one threepointer during the contest. The loss dropped the Lady Eagles to a 6-10 record, 0-2 in district.

The other district loss came at the hands of the Central Lady Bulldogs on Dec. 11 by a score of 37-45. Harris led the scoring with 20 points, followed by O'Neal (8), Franklin (5), Session and Blakemore (two each).

The Lady Eagles went 0-3 in the Athens Tournament, falling to Athens 61-32 in the opening round. Lead scorers were: Franklin (10), Blakemore (5), O'Neal (5), Jelissa Session and Courtney Foreman (three each).

Rusk then lost to Carthage in a non-district match-up by a score of 66-21. Scorers were: Franklin (10), Harris (5), Blakemore and Frauenberger (two each).

The Lady Eagles finished the tournament with a 42- 52 loss to Chapel Hill. Harris led the scoring with 20 points, followed by O'Neal (8), Blakemore (6), Franklin (4), Simmons and Adams (two each).

The Rusk Eagles will play in the White Oak tournament Thursday through Saturday while the Lady Eagles host the Westwood Lady Panthers at 1 p.m. Friday. Both teams return to District 20-3A play against the Huntington Red Devils Jan. 2, 2008 at the Rusk High School Gymnasium.