Straughn splits area basketball games with Hillcrest-Evergreen
Published 11:00 am Saturday, January 28, 2023
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Straughn concluded its regular season home schedule and split the final area date against Hillcrest-Evergreen at home Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Lady Tigers 38
Lady Jaguars 10
Seven different players scored as Straughn rolled to a 38-10 win over Hillcrest-Evergreen and clinched the regular season area title in the varsity girls’ contest.
Keona Miller scored the opening basket of the game, but the Lady Jaguars were unable to find the hoop again in the first half. Melonie Harris had five points in the first period, and Aubrey Pittman added two as the Lady Tigers took a 7-2 lead after one. Presley Bates went three-of-four from the free-throw line in the second. Harris and Pittman each converted another field goal for a 14-2 lead at halftime.
Blakeley Smith and Tori Canant etched their names in the scoring column with two apiece in the third period. Harris and Bates also grabbed two, while Pittman rounded out the scoring with a free throw. Miller made a bucket for HHS, but SHS increased its lead to 23-4 with eight minutes to go. The home offense erupted for 15 points in the final frame and continued a strong defensive effort. Allyx Williamson and Canant led the way with four points each in the fourth. Bates buried a long three as Maddie Williamson and Pittman also made baskets. Sonija Evans, Kehonia Bradley, and Miller split six for the visitors.
Harris paced Straughn (13-8, 4-0 3A Area 2) with nine points and was followed by Bates with eight. Pittman notched seven in the win, while Canant chipped in six. Miller led Hillcrest with six in the loss.
Tigers 33
Jaguars 57
Straughn was unable to recover from a slow start and fell short as Hillcrest-Evergreen posted a 57-33 win in the varsity boys’ outing.
Micah Turner and Taylor Sikes each converted a field goal in the opening eight minutes. Jermonte Stallworth had four points and helped the Jaguars to a 9-4 lead after one. Christian Locke and Taj Stanton also made baskets for the opposition. Layne Grantham scored four in the second and was two-for-two from the line. Daniel Bell also converted a pair of free throws for the Tigers. Jamarius Barlow managed three points as the visitors scored 13 and carried a 22-10 lead into the break.
Parker Black led SHS with four points in the third and was followed by Turner at three. Bell made his first bucket as Sikes earned a point. Robert Simpson notched four, and Damarion Watson stroked a three-pointer. HHS pushed its lead to 35-20 with three periods in the books. The two teams combined for 35 points in the fourth. Turner drained a long shot beyond the arc and ended the night with seven. Bell followed with four and also made a three as the Tigers scored 13 points. Jordan Bonner and Barlow led the Jaguars with six points apiece. Locke collected five in the 22-point output down the stretch.
Turner was the top scorer for Straughn (5-12, 1-3) with nine points. Bell was next with eight in the loss, while Grantham closed the contest with six. Barlow finished in double digits at 11 points. Jacob Bradley and Locke were close behind with nine points each for Hillcrest who took the regular season area title.