The Choctaw County boys and girls basketball teams played in a tournament at Winona last week, with opening round losses to Senatobia and victories in consolation games.
The Chargers were defeated by Senatobia 58-45, but rebounded with a 45-35 victory over Eupora.
Against Senatobia, Choctaw County trailed 44-40 in the fourth quarter, but turned the ball over on two straight possessions as Senatobia pulled away.
“We battled,” said coach Gary Beals. “I know there are no moral victories, but I was super proud of their effort.”
Zavier Coleman led Choctaw County with 12 points. Kendall Coleman had 10 points and five assists and Jared Bellew 10 points. Kavan Wooten had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Senatobia, which went on to win the tournament with a victory over the host team in the title game.
Choctaw County led Eupora 26-15 at the half on its way to victory in the consolation game. Bellew had 19 points on eight of 12 shooting, eight rebounds and five steals.
Choctaw County had defeated Eupora 57-29 earlier in the week, and did not play as well in the second meeting, “It’s hard to motivate people after you have beaten them pretty badly,” Beals said. “We looked lethargic.”
In the earlier game with Eupora, Choctaw County led 21-5 after one quarter and breezed to the win. Bellew had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Trey Jobe 10 points and six steals and Kendall Coleman 11 points.
The Lady Chargers defeated Eupora 63-38, lost to Senatobia 54-23 and defeated Winona in the consolation game 43-22.
Freshman Muleyah Yeates had a double-double against Eupora with 14 rebounds and 12 points. LaGenesis Johnson scored 20 points and Julia James 13.
Johnson got into foul trouble against Senatobia and fouled out in the fourth quarter. James led the Lady Chargers with eight points.
Johnson had 20 points in the win over Winona. It was the second time the Lady Chargers defeated the Lady Tigers.
Senatobia is the 11th ranked team in the state and top ranked among 3A schools. With the wins in the tournament, Senatobia improved to 10-1, the only loss coming against Tupelo, a 6A school.
The Chargers and Lady Chargers play in a tournament at New Site Thursday and Friday.
French Camp set to open region play
The French Camp boys and girls basketball teams both split two games last week, with victories over Grace Christian and losses to Pisgah.
The Panthers and Lady Panthers played Hebron Christian Tuesday and will be on the road against Winona Friday. Play in Region 5-1A begins this coming Monday with home games against West Lowndes. That will be the last action until after the first of the year.
The Panthers rebounded from a 57-35 loss to Pisgah with a 60-42 victory over Grace Christian.
Pisgah outscored French Camp 21-10 in the second quarter for a 31-16 halftime lead on its way to the victory. “We can't turn the ball over and we have to play better defense,” said coach Robert Leathers.
CJ. Johnson was the only Panther in double figures with 19 points. Christian Evans led Pisgah with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
French Camp led Grace Christian 39-36 through three quarters, then broke the game open by outscoring the Eagles 21-6 in the final period after going to a zone. “In the fourth quarter, we really turned the defense up,” Leathers said.
He said freshman Nick Winters and sophomore Macon Bentley led the defensive effort. Johnson had 19 points, Darrion Smith 16 and Bentley 13.
Smith scored all of his points in the first half before picking up four fouls. “I really would like to play him more if he would step up his defensive effort,” Leathers said.
The Lady Panthers lost to Pisgah 50-36 and defeated Grace Christian 63-30.
Jasmine Bonty had 13 points and Jordan Carter 12 points and 17 rebounds in the Pisgah game. Against Grace Christian, Bonty scored 18 points, Grace Ann Wade 14 and Carter 13.
Injuries hamper Grace Christian
The Grace Christian girls basketball team had a win and two losses last week. Playing shorthanded, the boys team was beaten by Oxford School of Regents and French Camp.
The Lady Eagles defeated Meridian Home School 52-32, but lost to Regents 60-46 and French Camp 63-30.
Caroline Robbins was in double figures in all three games with 16 points against Meridian, 10 in the Regents game and 15 against French Camp. Carly Peterson scored 20 points in the Regents game and 17 against Meridian. Aspen Harris scored 14 points against Meridian.
With three games in four days, coach Talor Troyer said fatigue was a factor in the final game of the week against French Camp. “Everyone was exhausted. That definitely hurt us. We were tired by the time we got to the French Camp game.”
The boys team lost to Regents 50-33 and French Camp 60-42. The Eagles were without four players against Regents and three against French Camp due to injuries.
“We were really, really banged up and we hope to get healthy soon,” said coach Jason Morgan.
Bonner Brownlee had a big game against Regents with 25 points, 10 rebounds and eight steals. Against French Camp Brownlee had 19 points and eight steals, Jacob Phillips 12 points and eight rebounds.
