Byers sweeps rival Hawks


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Byers sweeps rival Hawks

By CLAUDE VINSON
Sports Editor

Photos by Barry Burleson

Chris Echols (33) of Byers is double-teamed by Hawks Marvin Burt (40) and Tevin Jones (33).

In an intra-county contest with nothing at stake except bragging rights, the Hawks of Holly High traveled to the Lions’ Den January 29 to do battle with a long-time rival.

The tip in the girls’ game went to Holly High but the possession never made it to the basket. The ball-hawking skills of the Lady Lions were burying the Lady Hawks’ offense. H.W. Byers’ scoring was distributive and piling up against a team using a short roster. The Lady Lions took the first frame 28-12.

In the second quarter, the Lady Hawks were bearing up well under the stifling defensive pressure of the Lady Lions. They picked up their own scoring while temporarily slowing down their hosts. Holly High was showing some tenacity. They were up only 16 back at intermission, 36-20.

The action increased from both sides in the third. Holly High was still picking up steam but Byers was doubling its efforts and score. The tally was 58-30.

It didn’t improve any for the visitors in the last period. Holly High could score only three points the entire quarter. The Lady Lions exhausted its roster and added 20 more to its total for a final 78-33.

Justice Martin led the floor with 23, followed by three other double-figure shooting Lady Lions – Madison McCreless with 15, Sha’Dai Nolen with 13 and Richenda Crutcher with 11.

Byers’ Richenda Crutcher (20), taking her shot, is defended by Lady Hawk Starlandria Walton (10).

Starlandria Walton led Holly High with 12 and Megan Crittle had 10. Lakendra Bell scored nine.

Lions stop Hawks

It was apparent from the start that this was going to be another good one. The Lions had slung five three-balls in the first quarter.

The Hawks had only put up a pair of long balls but they trailed by a single digit (18-17) at the end of the hard-fought first quarter.

The Hawks got their own three-mill going in the second frame and had ginned about six and a 10-point lead about midway through. The Lions turned it around and were themselves one down at the half, 34-33.

The score was close again for most of the third quarter and Holly High went on another scoring spurt with Courtavious Daughtery sparking the Holly High drive. But once again the Lions brought the claws out and reclaimed the lead, 51-50, at the end of three,

The fourth period could be summed up with one word – wild. The lead swung back and forth like a pendulum. Daughtery was keeping Holly High in it but he was out-gunned two to one by A.J. Mabon and Chris Echols of the Lions.

The Lions had a one-point lead and the ball with 50 seconds left. They lost the ball and the Hawks hit one of a pair to tie it one last time at 66-all.

Photos by Barry Burleson

T’Erika Allen (right) of Holly High maintains possession with pressure from Lady Lions Precious Rogers (left) and Kadejar Moore (40).

The Hawks had another chance but mishandled the ball. Byers possessed and Echols was fouled, went to the line and canned both for the 68-66 win.

Mabon and Echols were heavy hitters for Byers with 29 and 21, respectively. Mabon also had 13 rebounds and seven assists.

Daughtery led Holly High with 27, followed by Tramaine Faulkner with eight.

Holly High hosted Kossuth Friday (see separate story). Byers visited Myrtle Thursday and hosted Hickory Flat Friday (see separate story).

Both schools wrap up the regular season this week and start division tournament play next week.

Surrounding H.W. Byers’ A.J. Mabon (12) are Hawks Tyler Brown (20), Tevin Jones (33) and Courtavious Daughtery (12).

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