MA splits versus Oak Hill

Last week was a tough one on the hardwood for Marshall Academy basketball teams as the boys picked up the lone win versus three opponents.

The Patriots tipped off the week Monday, Dec. 29, with a 62-51 victory over Oak Hill Academy in the Calhoun Holiday Showdown. MA stormed ahead 38-22 at halftime.

Four players powered a balanced offensive attack – Carlos Young with 16 points, Brett Hicks 15, Kaleb Luse 12 and Makhi Findley 10.

On the same day, the MA girls fell 43-29 to Oak Hill. They were down 22-8 at the half. The top scorer for the Lady Patriots was Mady Holmes with 7.

On day two of the Calhoun Holiday Showdown, the Patriots dropped a close one, 57-54 to West Lowndes, while the Lady Patriots lost 57-27 to Independence.

The MA boys were up 34-29 at intermission but couldn’t hang on. Scoring in double digits in the hard-fought loss were Findley with 14, Luse with 11 and Young with 10.

Lauren Parks scored nine for the MA girls, who trailed 35-12 at halftime.

Both Marshall teams then began the new year with District 1-3A losses at West Memphis Christian Friday night, Jan. 1.

The Lady Patriots turned in a strong first half, leading 2316, but couldn’t keep the momentum going. They were outscored 29-16 in the second half and lost 45-39.

Tamya Wilson led the Marshall offense with 11 points. Holmes and Gabrielle Marion had nine each.

The Patriots and Black Knights, two highly-ranked teams in 3A, battled in the nightcap with West Memphis pulling away in the second half, 67-49.

MA was on the short end of 30-26 score at intermission. The Patriots were seven of 18 from the free-throw line in the first half. West Memphis outscored Marshall 37-23 in the second half.

For the Patriots, Luse scored 11. Adding nine each were Young, Findley and Hicks.

The Marshall girls (14-9) and boys (14-5) visit North Delta on Tuesday of this week. They host Kirk Friday. Next Tuesday, Jan. 13, they host Rossville. All are district contests.