The Bryant Blue Hornets eighth grade team put together a 17-point third quarter to create[more] some separation and held on late for a 37-32 win over the Hot Springs Lakeside Junior Rams at Bethel Middle School gym Thursday night.
In seventh grade action, Bryant Blue rolled to a 19-4 lead by halftime and eased to a 31-10 win.
The eighth grade team, now 9-3, has won back-to-back games since the holiday break with a home against on Monday, Jan. 14, against the Anthony School up next.
The seventh graders, now 4-4, will compete in a tournament at Bauxite starting Saturday, Jan. 19.
Bryant Blue held a 9-6 edge after a quarter of the eighth grade game. The advantage was just 14-12 at the half.
“We had a strong third quarter,” stated Hornets coach Derek McGrew. “I was pleased with our intensity and rebounding. We struggled again from the free-throw line going 9 of 26.
“Lakeside was much longer and taller than us,” he noted. “They did a very good job in their 1-3-1 zone. They really made us work the ball around. The difference was our full-court pressure.”
The third-quarter outburst produced a 31-22 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Caylin Allen led the scorers with 14 points. Desmond Duckworth had 9, Calvin Allen 6, Jeffery Hastings 5 and Derrick Blake 3.
In the seventh grade win, Sam Chumley led with 10 points. Keith West and Diante Woodson finished with 5 apiece. Matthew Sandidge scored 4, Myers Buck 3 with Reese Graham and Mitchell Wollard picking up 2 each.
Bryant Blue led 9-3 after a quarter and, after establishing the 15-point lead at the half, held a 26-10 edge going into the final period.
