Photo by Ronnie Day
Battling for the basketball are Holly High’s Jessica Bohanna and Byers’ Chanddrika Nolen. In back is Jakorien Hubbard (15) and at right is Dawn Fitzpatrick.
Photos by Ronnie Day
(Left photo) Shretta Jeffries of Holly High releases a shot. Lady Lions are Jakorien Hubbard (15) and Dallas Fitzpatrick (right). (Above) Rahmon Rutherford (24) of the Hawks puts up a shot as Byers’ Malik Glover (2) plays defense.
DaQuan Smith (left) was recognized by his head coach, Sylvester Kilgore, Friday for surpassing 2,000 points in his high school career.
Holly High sweeps Byers
Holly Springs coaches said defense was the key to wins Friday night at home over Marshall County rival H.W. Byers.
The Lady Hawks turned back the Lady Lions 59-43.
“We played well as a unit,” said Andre Jones, head coach of the Holly High girls. “Solid defense opened up scoring opportunities.”
Shretta Jeffries fueled the winning effort offensively. She lit up the scoreboard with 23 points and also grabbed eight rebounds.
Arriyunna Washington added 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Lady Hawks in the 16-point win.
For the Lady Lions, Jakorien Hubbard was on fire. She had a game-high 27 points.
The Holly High boys beat Byers 98-77 in the nightcap.
Coach Sylvester Kilgore said “a deliberate defensive and rebounding effort” sparked the Hawks to the victory.
“The fans were treated to an exciting and entertaining contest,” he said.
DaQuan Smith blistered the nets for 40 points and also dished out seven assists in the 21-point victory. He was also recognized at halftime of the game for breaking the 2,000-point mark of his high school career.
“He has put himself in a position to be the Hawks’ all-time leading scorer,” Kilgore said.
The Hawks had just a 10-point lead (68-58) entering the fourth but outscored the Lions 30-19 in the final period.
Other top contributors for Holly High were Rahmon Rutherford with 19 points, Cori Bell with 14 points and four steals, and Cornelious Bridgeforth with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Daveon Miller had nine rebounds.
The Lions of coach Kevin Jones featured a balanced scoring attack – Michael Mabon with 18, KaDamian Rhyan with 14, Julian Moore and KaDerious Rhyan with 13 each and Hunter Gomez with 12.
Holly High-Southwind
It was a rough night for Holly Springs teams when they traveled to Southwind (Memphis, Tenn.) Thursday.
The Lady Hawks dropped a 66-33 decision.
Top scorer for Holly High was Washington with nine. Jakhari Mitchell and Jeffries contributed seven each.
The Holly High boys played well early but went on to lose 83-58 to the high-powered Jaguars.
“We lost to a veteran team in AAA 2017 state runner-up Southwind,” Coach Kilgore said.
“We got off to a hot start and then fell victim to defensive miscues, lapses and poor transition defense. Give credit to their defensive scheme of constant double teams all over the floor on our Dandy Dozen player, DaQuan Smith.”
He said his Hawks fought hard and got strong showings from Bell and Rutherford.
Smith had 19 points in the loss. He was seven of eight from the free-throw stripe.
Bell followed with 16, including three threes, and Rutherford had 10. Bridgeforth had eight rebounds.
The Lady Hawks (2-6) and the Hawks (5-3) hosted Independence Tuesday. They will host Ashland Friday. Next Tuesday, Dec. 12, they will host North Panola.