District champs

The H.W. Byers Lions claimed a district championship trophy Friday for the third straight season.

Coach James Sales’ team put up more than 70 points each night and dominated its two opponents in the Region 31A Tournament.

The Lions scorched Blue Mountain 72-48 Friday to claim the top prize. Four players connected for double-figure scoring – Devin Moore with 23 points, Michael James with 19, Jabari Wright with 12 and Chris Isom Jr. with 11.

James cashed in eight points in the opening period as Byers surged ahead 20-10.

The lead was 33-20 at halftime.

The Cougars pulled to within 10 in the third, but Moore dropped in 11 as the Lions outscored the opponent 28-14 in the fourth.

The Lions had advanced to the district title contest via a 7642 rout of Ashland on Thursday evening.

A big second quarter gave Byers all the momentum. Leading 15-6 after eight minutes, Sales’ squad outscored the Blue Devils 23-9 and kept cruising in the second half.

Wright led the way with 21 points, including three threes. James was close behind with 19. He also drilled three threes. C. Isom Jr. had 13 and Moore 10.

The top scorer for Ashland was Quintavious Cotton with 15. Aaron Greer added 10.

The tourney was hosted by Blue Mountain but played at Ripley.

Byers girls A year ago H.W. Byers did not have enough players to put a varsity girls team on the court. This year coach Fred Stafford is taking his Lady Lions to the post-season. The Byers girls placed third in the Region 2-2A Tournament with a 30-29 win over Ashland Friday in the consolation contest.

Alaynna Webb scored all eight of her points in the fourth as the Byers rallied from a 2018 deficit at the end of the third.

The low-scoring game saw the Lady Lions on top 12-9 at the half. The Lady Blue Devils battled back in the third to go up by two. Victory McKinnie nailed five of six free throws in the third for Ashland.

Byers got the clutch baskets it needed in the fourth and won the nail-biter.

The leading point producers for the Lady Lions Keyonna Washington with 11 and Jakira Bryson with 10.

Morgan Crutcher had 10 for the Lady Blue Devils.

That big win for the Byers girls came after a 57-39 loss Thursday night to Hickory Flat in the semi-finals.

The Lady Lions were down 30-17 at halftime.

Webb was the only Byers player in double digits. She scored 10.

For the Lady Rebels, Vonterrica Garner tossed in a game-high 23 points. Abby Tatum was next in line with 17.

The Lady Lions (5-14) visited Coffeeville Monday night of this week to start the Class 1A playoffs. With a win, they go against the IngomarFalkner winner Friday.

The Lions (17-4) hosted Okolona Tuesday of this week in round one. With a win, they advance to meet the Wheeler-Tupelo Christian winner Saturday night in round two.