Spinning their wheels
Rusk teams struggle to find 1st district win
BY LELAND ACKER

Rusk guard John David Beard gets past a Center defender to attempt a layup during the Eagles' 80-48 loss against the Roughriders Friday. The loss dropped the Eagles to an 0-3 record in district, 8-9 on the season.

Rusk Head Coach Tracy Kincade correctly predicted Center would be a strong adversary against the Rusk Eagles prior to Friday's 80- 48 loss at the hands of the Roughriders.

"(Center) is probably the second best team in the district," Coach Kincade said.

Rusk jumped out to a 5-4 lead, but Center quickly put together a 13-point run which gave the Roughriders a 17-5 lead after the first quarter. Center dominated the first half, outscoring the Eagles 32-11 in the first 20 minutes of play.

Center maintained momentum in the second half, holding on for the win.

Scoring for the Eagles were: Terrance Turner (8), Michael Katon (6), Horrace Lewis (6), Demarcus Skinner (5), Bobby McDuff (5), J.J. Session (5), Quinn Anthony (4), John David Beard (3), Taj Cleaver and Chance Cleaver (2 each). Katon sank two three-pointers while Beard and McDuff made one each.

Rusk point guard Jasmine Harris attempts a layup under heavy pressure by Center defenders. The Rusk Lady Eagles lost to Center 55-39, falling to an 0-5 district record. The Eagles and Lady Eagles host Carthage Friday. PHOTOS: LELAND ACKER

Prior to Friday's loss, Rusk dropped a disappointing game to the Huntington Red Devils by a score of 41-33.

Coach Kincade said Huntington is a fundamentally sound team.

"They won't beat themselves," he said. "We just didn't get it done. You have to give credit to Huntington."

Rusk trailed Huntington 35- 25 with 1:47 left in the fourth quarter when the Eagles put together a 5-0 run on the heels of a Demarcus Skinner threepointer. However, a technical foul called against an Eagle player resulted in free throws for the Red Devils along with possession of the basketball. Huntington held on for the win.

Skinner had a good afternoon with 11 points and three three-pointers. Also scoring for Rusk were: Lewis (7), Session (6), Turner (4), Katon (3) and Anthony (2).

Standings in District 20-3A after Friday were:
1. (tie) Crockett (16-2, 3-0)
1. (tie) Center (12-4, 3-0)
3. (tie) Carthage (10-6, 2-1)
3. (tie) Huntington (11-11,
2-1)
5. (tie) Central (16-6, 1-2)
5. (tie) Diboll (10-8, 1-2)
7. (tie) Hudson (13-8, 0-3)
7. (tie) Rusk (8-9, 0-3)

Rusk will host Carthage Friday before traveling to Pollock Central on Tuesday. JV Games begin at 5 p.m. for both match-ups.

Lady Eagles fall to 0-5

After pulling within a 22- 19 halftime score, the Lady Eagles lost momentum in the second half to fall to the Center Lady Riders 55-39 Friday at Rusk High School Gymnasium.

"We kind of gave it away," Head Coach Josh Faucett said. "We were unable to keep up our intensity."

Coach Faucett said Rusk contended well with Center. The Lady Eagles were aided by 21 points from Jasmine Harris, who shot seven for 11 free throws. Cambry Blakemore added seven points and one three-pointer. Other scorers were: Lisa Frauenberger (4), Charnell Franklin (4) and Le'Asha O'Neal (2).

Rusk had a 3-2 lead over the Huntington Devillettes Wednesday, but that lead was demolished by an 11-0 first quarter run by Huntington. Huntington went on to win 67-27.

The Rusk offense was unable to do much in the face of the Devillettes' trap defense.

O'Neal, Blakemore and Courtney Foreman led scoring with six points each. Foreman sank two three-pointers while Blakemore added another. Also scoring were: Brittney Session (3), Jasmine Harris (4) and Kristen Hicks (2).

At the end of last week, Rusk had an 0-5 record in District 20-3A.

The Lady Eagles will host Carthage at the Rusk High School Gymnasium Friday with JV games beginning at 5 p.m. The varsity will follow the JV. Rusk will then travel to Central Tuesday before returning home to face Hudson Jan. 18.

Subvarsity teams break

into the win column

The Rusk Eagle JV basketball team chalked up wins over Huntington and Center. The Eagles defeated Center 45-39. Cornelius Lewis led the scoring for the Eagles wih 20 points, followed by Kalen Skinner (12) Nicky D. Cleveland (7), Chase Anderson (4) and Delshawn Session (2).

The Eagles overcame a 14- 11 first quarter deficit to take a 20-18 lead at halftime. Rusk went on to win 45-39.

The Eagle freshmen team lost to Center 41-37, with Derek Sanders leading the scoring with 13 points. Harris followed with 10 points, followed by Josh Randolph (8), Montrell Session (3) Josh Skinner (2) and Trey Thrash (1).

The Eagle JV team enjoyed a 66-46 win over Huntington Jan. 2.

Session led scoring with 18 points, followed by Lewis (12), Brandon Downs (8), Matthew Pyle (5), Anderson, Lonnie Gipson and Matthew Davis (2 each).

The Eagle freshmen also enjoyed a win over Huntington 26-23. Sanders led the scoring for Rusk with 17 points, followed by Session (3), Andrew Crump, Skinner, Thrash and Randolph (2 each).

The Lady Eagles' JV lost to Huntington 37-17. Samantha Hill and Kierra Skinner led scoring with five points each, followed by Kashera Muhammad (3), Brittney Johnson and Jelissa Session (2 each).