Bank of Holly Springs
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Photo by Willie Ann Shelton
DaQuan Smith (12) soars to the goal for a dunk at Jackson State University versus Choctaw Central.

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Kendrick Fountain (20) tries to work his way to the hoop versus three Warriors.

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Photos by Willie Ann Shelton
Juwoyn Lyles (50) is trapped by a pair of Warriors.

Hawks advance to semis

The Holly Springs Hawks were determined not to have a three-peat (in losses) in the Class 3A quarter-finals. And they won in convincing fashion.

DaQuan Smith scored  29 points and Kendrick Fountain added 23 as the Holly High Hawks dominated Choctaw Central 80-54 Friday at Jackson State.

Smith also pulled down seven rebounds with two assists, two blocks, and six steals. Fountain had six rebounds with three assists and two steals.

The Hawks moved to the next round, the semis, to play Velma Jackson on Wednesday, March 8, at 4 p.m. at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.

“Once again, our Hawks put on an amazing defensive spectacle,” said coach Sylvester Kilgore, whose team upped its season mark to 21-10. “Our defense led to multiple highlights and dunks of all varieties on offense.”

The Hawks jumped on the Warriors right away to grab the first quarter lead 21-9.

The Warriors’ scoring didn’t get any better in the second versus the overwhelming Holly High defense. The Hawks outscored Choctaw Central 25-9.

At the half, the Hawks held the huge advantage, 46-18.

Choctaw Central fell further behind in the scoring department after intermission. They couldn’t connect the ball to the nylon. The Warriors produced only seven points in the third. Meanwhile, the Hawks kept on clicking and were up 63-25 in this expired frame.

The Warriors managed to put up 29 points in the fourth, outscoring Holly High 29-17. But it was just far too little, far too late.

The Holly High boys celebrated a 26-point victory in the state quarter-finals after losses in that round in Jackson the previous two seasons.

Cornelious Bridgeforth scored eight points with five rebounds. Juwoyn Lyles added nine points and five rebounds for Holly High.

For Choctaw Central, Dillon Farmer had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Dylan Nickey 10 and three boards.

“Our leaders (Smith, Fountain and Lyles) did their jobs,” Kilgore said. “Bridgeforth also played a major role with a spectacular job rebounding, protecting the rim and all-out hustle which kept our defensive effort on full throttle.

“We also got major support and production from (Cori) Bell and (Ladarius) Stinson.”

He also thanked the fans, members of the Hawks nation, for making their annual trip to Jackson.

He also thanked The South Reporter staff and the WKRA crew for their support, plus the sponsors who helped with the road broadcast to the fans who could not make the trek south on I-55 to the capital city.

Holly Springs South Reporter

P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
PH: (662) 252-4261
FAX: (662) 252-3388
www.southreporter.com