Byhalia sweeps county rival

County rivalry contests on the basaketball court went Byhalia’s way Saturday night.

The Lady Indians, ranked fifth in the state in Class 4A by the Clarion-Ledger, routed the Potts Camp Lady Cardinals 89-33.

The Byhalia girls, playing at home, applied extreme pressure, causing the 2A Lady Cardinals to struggle offensively in the first quarter. At the 4:38 mark, the Lady Indians held a 10-2 lead.

The Lady Cardinals soon turned things around. Destinee Hannah sank a two-pointer and Ashley Anderson poured in four points to trim the margin to 10-8 with 3:06 remaining. Later, Leekadra Smith hit a long range shot to extend the lead for the Lady Indians. Hannah’s two buckets had the Lady Cardinals down by one, 13-12, with 1:35 on the clock. The Lady Indians were up 18-12 at the conclusion of the first quarter.

Going into the second, the Lady Indians tossed in more shots. They added 22 points compared to Potts Camp’s 13. Byhalia was up 40-25 at the break.

The Lady Cardinals’ scoring hit a flat spot in the third frame. They produced only four points. Kavacia Johnson netted 13 points and Smith dropped in two three-pointers for Byhalia. The Lady Indians outscored the Lady Cardinals 34-4. At the end of the third, the home team held a 45-point advantage, 74-29.

In the fourth, things didn’t get any better for the Lady Cardinals. The Byhalia girls gained 15 more points to their four. Byhalia closed this intra-county contest with a big win.Leading in double digits for Byhalia (14-4) were Johnson with 16, Smith with 15, Tiyanna Powell with 13, Shaquira Caradine with 11, and Brianna Beard and Xzadria Holpe each had 10.

Hannah scored 14 points and had nine rebounds for Potts Camp (8-13).

Indians defeat Cardinals

In the nightcap, the Potts Camp Cardinals came up short, 71-56, versus the Byhalia Indians in this county contest.

The Indians rapidly built a 9-0 lead midway through the first quarter. They held the Cardinals scoreless until Trell Kimmons’ two put Potts Camp on the board with 5:21 left on clock. Antwon Porter and DeAndre Martin each sank eight points for the Indians. At the end of this frame, Byhalia held a 25-11 lead.

In the second, the Cardinals didn’t fade away. They cashed in 12 points compared to Byhalia’s 10. At the break, the Cardinals were still trailing 35-23.

In the third, Avion Graham’s five points (trey and a two) and Jamaris Briggs’ six helped the Indians quickly grab a 54-39 lead.

Both teams gained 17 more points in the fourth, and Byhalia boys went on to win this county rivalry.

Graham led the way for the Indians (15-5) with 19 points. Briggs had 15 and Porter 12.

Mitchell Saulsberry scored 12 points for Potts Camp (8-13) and grabbed nine rebounds. Alec Smith and Kimmons each had 11. Shaun Gorman had nine points and six rebounds.

Byhalia teams hosted Lafayette Tuesday. They go to Covington (Tenn.) Saturday. Next Tuesday, Jan. 31, they visit Horn Lake.

Potts Camp squads hosted Byers Tuesday. They go to Baldwyn Friday. Next Tuesday, Jan. 31, they travel to Ingomar.