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Photos by Barry Burleson
(Left photo) Marquavous Jones (21) of the Hawks and a Water Valley player chase a loose basketball. (Right) Kennedy Faulkner (15) of the Lady Hawks works inside the lane.

Holly High sweeps Water Valley

Both Holly Springs basketball teams returned from long layoffs in good fashion Tuesday, Jan. 12.

Dajah Turner and Chamilya Watson combined for 28 points as the Lady Hawks blistered Water Valley 44-18 in District 1-3A action.

The Holly High girls had not played since December 4. It was their first home game since November 6. “It just felt good to get out and play

with everyone healthy,” coach Jason Shivley said. “We went into the game with a game play of playing good defense and getting stops to fuel our fast break.

“I would say for the most part we accomplished that goal, and our young players are starting to show off their potential.”

The Lady Hawks did get off to a bit of a slow start. The lead was 7-4 at the 1:39 mark of the first. Celekiesha Brown closed the quarter with a three, and it was 14-4.

The Lady Blue Devils hung around in the second.

After going up by as many as 12, Holly High took a 24-14 to intermission.

The third quarter was all Lady Hawks. They outscored the opposition 17-4.

Dajah Turner lit the spark, hitting a jumper in the lane and then a three to push the lead to 29-14 and force a Water Valley timeout. Watson drilled a long-range shot two minutes later, and it was 35-14.

It was 41-18 at the end of the third, Holly High went on to win by 26 points.

Turner was the top gun with 18 points. Watson added 10.

The Holly High boys also had some early struggles but managed to shake off the rust and win big, 59-38, over Water Valley.

They had not played since December 19.

“Coming off a three-week delay, I feel we performed decently,” coach Andre Jones said. “Our defense was definitely a driving force in this game.

“We gave a good team effort on both sides of the ball.” The Hawks were down 5-3 with 5:29 left in the first period. Ded’drick Faulkner tied it at 11 to end the quarter.

Marquavous Jones opened the second with a steal and a slam.

Holly High was on top 2014 at halftime.

The Hawks came out in the third full of energy. Charvez Ambrose converted a threepoint play to make it 30-14 with 5:38 to go in the quarter.

Faulkner’s drive to the goal pushed the lead to 20, at 36-16, with 3:23 left. At the end of the third, Holly Springs led 39-20.

The big lead stayed steady in the fourth as the Hawks won by 21.

Faulkner led the way with 15 points, followed closely by Ambrose with 14.

“It was a good team win,” Jones said. “We needed it.” Holly Springs-N. Panola The Hawks hit the road Friday night and earned a huge district win, 77-67, over North Panola. It avenged a 57-53 loss to the Cougars before Christmas. Coach Jones said it was a classic battle. “First, I would like to commend North Panola for their excellent effort and resilience,” he said. “We had to fight hard mentally and physically in order to win this game.” The Hawks struggled after tipoff and trailed 20-11 in the first. They were down 37-32 at the halfway mark. “We started off a little stagnant but we gained control eventually,” Jones said.

Holly High shifted into another gear after halftime, gaining control of the game by outscoring North Panola 2211 in the third and then staying steady in the fourth.

“In practice we work on these situations of being down and having to fight back to gain control of the game, so we are familiar with these situations,” Jones said. “We executed well. We played together and played with heart. We are just fortunate to get another district win under our belt.”

Five Hawks scored in double figures, led by post player Anthony Gulledge Jr. with a game-high 21.

“He was very instrumental in this win,” he said. “He rebounded well and dominated the low post action.”

Other top point producers were Faulkner with 16, Dylan King and Jones with 13 each and Ambrose with 11. “I also want to give a lot of

credit to my coaching staff, Sanchez Blake and Kylon Freeman,” Jones said. “Together we put forth a great effort to position our team for success.”

The Holly High girls did not play at North Panola due to a COVID-19 issue involving another school they recently played.

The Hawks (5-7 overall and 4-2 in the district) and the Lady Hawks (1-4 overall and 1-2 in the district) will host Marshall County rival Byhalia for district clashes this Friday. Next Tuesday, Jan 26, they host district foe Independence.

Holly Springs South Reporter

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