Holly Springs sweeps Independence

Holly Springs basketball teams celebrated a couple of key Region 2-3A wins Tuesday, Jan. 20, on the road, avenging earlier losses at home to rival Independence.

In a battle between the district’s top two teams, the Lady Hawks moved into the number one slot in the district with a 33- 26 win over the Lady Wildcats. It was just the third loss of the season for Independence. Holly Springs improved to 19- 4.

“As we are wrapping up district play, we are asking for the absolute best basketball from our girls,” said Morgan Vickery, head coach of the Lady Hawks. “I was proud of their efforts at Independence.”

The Lady Hawks led 17-16 at halftime but fell behind 25-21 at the end of the third. They then outscored the Lady Wildcats 12-1 in the final quarter. Holly Springs nailed six of six free throws in the fourth.

Teyuana Reaves led the Lady Hawks with 11 points.

Coach Sylvester Kilgore said his Holly Springs boys turned in a “team effort” in a hardfought 72-67 victory at Independence last week.

The Hawks trailed by eight after the opening period but turned it up a notch in the second quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 25-7 to take a 37-27 halftime advantage. They hung on in the second half to win by five.

“I thought we had decent execution to close out the game,” Kilgore said.

Four Hawks scored in double figures – Christopher Hale with 17 points, Dawan Malone with 16, Josiah Johnson with 14 and Jaylen Cassidy with 11. Jeremiah Dowdy and Cassidy each grabbed 10 rebounds. Hale dished out four assists.

Holly Springs outrebounded Independence 36 to 33 but hit just 17 of 31 freethrow tries, 55 percent. The Hawks, 13-11 overall on the season, moved into second place in the district, behind Coahoma County. Independence is third.

Holly Springs teams will host Coahoma County Friday, Jan. 30, for Senior Night. The following Friday, Feb. 6, they host Lake Cormorant to close the regular season.