Court is in session: Area teams heat up the basketball court as district play continues

Basketball teams continue to face district opponents with only one team in Cherokee County remaining undefeated. The Bullard Lady Panthers retain a perfect 8-0 record in District 16-4A.

Jacksonville

Indians fall to Lions and Buckeyes

The Jacksonville Indians suffered defeat last week, losing two basketball games. The first loss was at John Tyler where they were beaten 71-39 by the Lions. Hosting the Hallsville Buckeyes resulted in a 52-40 loss.

Maidens claim victory over John Tyler and Hallsville

The Maidens succeeded against their opponents last week, pounding the John Tyler Lions 58-36 and defeating the Hallsville Bobcats 53-25.

Rusk

The Rusk Eagles and Lady Eagles had a bye Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Lady Eagles claim first district win

The Lady Eagles earned their first district win over Palestine, 55-48, when they hosted the Wildcats Friday, Jan. 18.

The Eagles and Lady Eagles were scheduled to host Fairfield Tuesday, Jan. 22, and travel to Mexia Friday, Jan. 25.

Alto

Yellowjackets fall to Mt. Enterprise

The Alto Yellowjackets lost against district opponent Mt. Enterprise, 57-75, Tuesday, Jan. 15.

In the first quarter, Alto allowed the Mustangs to gain a 24-11 lead. The Yellowjackets rallied, scoring only a single point less than Mt. Enterprise in the second period and outscoring the Mustangs in the third frame, 14-10. This brought the score to 50-40, though still in favor of the Mustangs who came back in the final quarter to complete the win.

Fred Thacker sank 17 points to become lead scorer. Bubba Mumphrey dropped in 11 points. Kurrinsai Jackson added nine points while Skyler Atkins hit eight. Will Dixon dropped in six points, Keithen Jenkins, four, and Ki’Alo Deason added two points to the team total.

Lady Jackets suffer defeat against Mt. Enterprise

The Lady Jackets fared no better in District 21-2A action this past week, also suffering a loss to Mt. Enterprise, 43-29.

Both the Yellowjackets and Lady Jackets were slated to host New Summerfield Tuesday, Jan. 22, and will travel to Cushing Friday, Jan. 25.

New Summerfield

Hornets sting Bobcats, fall to Bearkats

New Summerfield hosted Gary Tuesday, Jan. 15, beating the Bobcats, 49-39, upping their District 21-2A record to 2-0 and 19-4 overall.

The first half of the game was close with the Hornets ahead by margins of 7-6 and 10-8 in the first and second quarters, respectively. After leading at the half, 17-14, the Hornets surged ahead in the third period, outscoring the Bobcats 18-8. Though they allowed the Bobcats to lead in the final period, 17-14, the win went to New Summerfield.

The Hornets traveled to Cushing Friday, Jan. 18, where they lost to the Bearkats 51-43.

The Hornets took a 13-9 lead and were ahead at halftime, 19-16. The Bearkats outscored New Summerfield by two points in the third frame bringing the score to within a point of the Hornets, 32-31. With a 20-11 margin over the Hornets in the final period, Cushing claimed the victory.

The Hornets were slated to visit Alto Tuesday, Jan. 22, and will host Mt. Enterprise Friday, Jan. 25.

Troup

Tigers fall just short of a win against Arp.

By the slim margin of 52-50, the Troup Tigers lost to rival Arp, Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Troup took the first quarter lead, 11-8, but Arp outscored Troup in the second period for a 20-15 halftime lead. Third quarter scoring was close with Troup only four points behind in the period, but nine points down on the scoreboard, 39-30. Troup outscored Arp 20-13 in the final frame, but fell just short of the win.

Grayson Driggs led the scoring with 16 points, including a three-point shot, and was followed closely by Weslee Ross with 15 points. Quincy Kincade hit three three-pointers for nine points while Kris Johnson dropped in six and Kedrick Frazier added four.

The Tigers beat the Winona Wildcats, 44-42, Friday, Jan. 18.

Ross was lead scorer with 17 points, including two three-pointers. Driggs and Frazier each dropped in 10 points, with Driggs hitting a three-point shot. Johnson sank five points and Kincade added two.

Lady Tigers defeat Winona

Last week, the Lady Tigers also lost to rival Arp, 44-15, and defeated Winona, 37-36.

In the contest with Winona, Troup allowed the Wildcats to go ahead 9-4 in the first quarter and 13-10 by the half. Scoring 13 points to the Wildcats’ 10 in the third period brought the score to a 23-23 tie. With each team dropping in eight points in the final frame, the game went into overtime. Though Winona sank the first two points, the Tigers outscored Winona in overtime for the 37-36 victory.

The Tigers and Lady Tigers were scheduled to host Gladewater Tuesday, Jan. 22, and travel to Sabine Friday, Jan. 25.

Bullard

Panthers feel loss on the road

The Bullard Panthers lost on the road Friday, Jan. 18, after traveling to Gilmer. The buckeyes won the match 69-57.

Lady Panthers lead district 16-4A with 8-0 record

The Lady Panthers fared better than their counterparts, defeating the Gilmer Buckeyes by a score of 50-45 and preserving their pristine district record. The Lady Panthers lead in the District 16-4A standings with an 8-0 record and have a 27-6 season record. Gilmer and Kilgore follow in district standings, placing second and third respectively, each with a 6-2 district record.

The Panthers and Lady Panthers were set to host Spring Hill Tuesday, Jan. 22, and will travel to Cumberland Academy Friday, Jan. 25.