Rebound, block, assist, and drive: District basketball play continues for area teams

While some basketball teams are just beginning the second round of district play, others have nearly completed league play. Bullard’s Lady Panthers, nearing the end of the regular season, has maintained a perfect district record,10-0.

Jacksonville

Maidens add two more

district wins

The Jacksonville Maidens earned two more wins last week. The first victory was on the road at Marshall, 65-46, and the second against Lufkin at home, 48-40.

The recent wins give the Maidens a 9-2 district record which places them just behind Lufkin in District 16-5A standings.

The Indians and Maidens were to visit Nacogdoches Tuesday, Jan 29, where they would tip-off against the Dragons. The Jacksonville teams will travel to Whitehouse to face the Wildcats Friday, Feb. 1.

Rusk

Eagles suffer losses to Fairfield and Mexia

The Rusk Eagles had it rough last week with two lopsided losses. Fairfield beat Rusk by a 70-33 margin and Mexia overwhelmed the Eagles, 102-38.

Lady Eagles 3-3 in district play

The Lady Eagles also lost to the Fairfield Eagles, but by the much closer margin of 40-37. They overcame Mexia, 39-28, to even their win-loss record to 3-3 in district play.

The Eagles and Lady Eagles were to host Madisonville Tuesday, Jan. 29. The Rusk teams have a bye Friday, Feb. 1

Alto

Yellowjackets host Hornets

The Alto Yellowjackets hosted New Summerfield Tuesday, Jan. 22, losing to the Hornets 48-44.

Alto held the lead at the end of the first quarter, 11-9. In the second period, New Summerfield scored 11 points to Alto’s five, going ahead 20-16 by the half. In the third frame, the Hornets surged ahead, 38-25. The Yellowjackets outscored New Summerfield 19-10 in the final quarter, but fell short of completing the comeback.

Fred Thacker was the highest scoring Yellowjacket with 21 points. Bubba Mumphrey and Jay Pope each sank six points. Keithen Jenkins dropped in four points, Will Dixon, three, and Skyler Atkins and Kurrinsai Jackson each added two points.

The Yellowjackets lost at Cushing, beaten 79-26 by the Bearkats.

Alto was slated to host Gary Tuesday, Jan. 29, and Mt. Enterprise Friday, Feb. 1.

New Summerfield

Hornets sitting in second place for district 21-2A

New Summerfield traveled to Alto Tuesday, Jan. 22, where they beat the Yellowjackets in close competition. Alto took the early lead with an 11-9 first quarter score, but the Hornets pulled ahead by the half, 20-16. By the end of the third period, New Summerfield held a 13-point lead, 38-25, but the Yellowjackets initiated a comeback in the final quarter. Outscoring the Hornets 19-10 in the final frame, Alto almost overtook New Summerfield. However, Luis Martinez made two free throws, with only 3.6 seconds on the clock, to extend the Hornets’ lead to four points in the final moments of the game.

Collin Wilkerson was lead scorer with 21 points which included a three-point shot. Bryant Leon dropped in nine points, including a trey. Alfredo Juarez added five points while Martinez, Julio Parra, Elvis Mendoza each sank four points. Mendoza’s score included a three-pointer.

The team sank nine of 16 free-throws for 56.25 percent.

The Hornets took another victory when they hosted Mt. Enterprise Friday, Jan. 25, defeating the Wildcats 39-33.

For the second time in the same week, the Hornets held an 11-9 lead at the end of the first period. By halftime, New Summerfield had increased the margin to 19-14. Mt. Enterprise held on, allowing only a 9-8 third quarter margin but were behind by a 28-22 overall deficit. Each team sank 11 points in the final frame, providing New Summerfield with the win.

Scoring was again led by Wilkerson with 17 points. Parra dropped in nine points. Mendoza sank two three-pointers for six points.

The team holds a 4-1 record in District 21-2A, which places them second in district standing, just behind Cushing, 5-0.

The second round of district play for the Hornets was to begin at Douglass Tuesday, Jan. 29,. New Summerfield will travel to Gary Friday, Feb. 1.

Troup

Tigers overpower Bears

The Troup Tigers visited Gladewater Tuesday, Jan. 29, where they overpowered the Bears, 45-34.

The game got off to a slow start with only a 4-2 lead going to the Tigers. By the half, the teams had gained some momentum with Troup scoring 16 points to Gladewater’s 10 which increased the Tiger lead, 20-12. Each team scored 12 points in the third period, but Troup widened the gap in the third period to end the game, 45-34.

Lead scorer was Kedrick Frazier with 17 points, followed by Grayson Driggs with 13. Kris Johnson sank eight points. Weslee Ross added five points and Quincy Kincade dropped in two.

On Friday, the Tigers traveled to Sabine where they suffered their second district loss of the season to the Cardinals, 56-46. Their first loss was also at the hands of the Cardinals. Sabine now tops the District 16-3A standings (8-1) with Troup (7-2) positioned second.

The end of the first quarter showed only a three-point lead for Sabine, 18-15. With a 9-3 scoring margin in the second quarter, Sabine improved their lead to 27-18.

The Tigers recovered somewhat and led by a 21-15 margin in the third frame, but were still behind, 39-42. The Cardinals sank 14 points to the Tigers’ seven in the final frame, securing the win.

Kris Johnson was high scorer for Troup with 15 points. Ross sank 11 point, including a trey. Kincade dropped in nine points, including two three-point shots. Driggs also hit one from three-point distance and added a total of seven points. Deasmon Deason and Frazier each dropped in two points.

Lady Tigers fall to Cardinals

The Lady Tigers also traveled to Sabine, but were able to overcome the Cardinals, 53-42.

The Lady Tigers surged ahead to an early 13-5 first quarter lead, though the Cardinals were able to close the gap to five points at the half, 28-23. Once again, Troup surged ahead in the third period by a margin of 18-5, and increasing their lead to 46-28. In the final frame, Sabine outscored Troup 14-7, but it was too little to overtake the Tigers.

Lead scorer for Troup was Kori Minnix with 17 points, which included a three-pointer. Ty Moon followed close behind, hitting three treys and dropping in a total of 16 points. Ajayah Hampton sank seven points while Julie Herndon added six. Jessie Minnix added three points, while Maddy Griffin and Maryssa Gilliam each dropped in two.

The Tigers and Lady Tigers were to visit White Oak Tuesday, Jan. 29, and will host Harmony Friday, Feb. 1.

Bullard

Lady Panthers undefeated in district play

Last week, the Lady Panthers overcame Spring Hill, 55-34, and Cumberland Academy, 65-25, to preserve their perfect District 16-4A record, now 10-0. Gilmer, who ranks second, has an 8-2 record. The Lady Panther have only one more game to complete their district schedule.

The Lady Panthers were slated to host Chapel Hill Tuesday, Jan. 29.

The Lady Panthers will visit Kilgore for their final district match Tuesday, Feb. 5. In their last contest Jan. 11, Bullard beat the Lady Bulldogs, 58-41.