Photo: KJ Moore of DeSoto Central skies up for two of his game-high 16 points in the Tuesday night victory over Tupelo. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — Tupelo traveled to DeSoto Central Tuesday night for a Region 1-7A basketball contest. The two-time defending state 7A champs held off the Lady Jags, but the home Jaguars broke free in the second half for an easy win over the Golden Wave.
DeSoto Central boys dominate Tupelo in second-half surge
Behind an explosive third-quarter performance, the DeSoto Central Jaguars boys’ basketball team cruised to a 69-46 victory over Tupelo in a Region 1-7A matchup Tuesday night.
The Jaguars overcame a sluggish start to secure a decisive blowout. Trailing 11-8 after the first frame, DeSoto Central found its rhythm late in the second quarter. A crucial basket by Caleb Smith sent the Jaguars into the locker room with a slim 25-23 halftime lead.
The game broke open in the third quarter as DeSoto Central outscored Tupelo 32-4. Highlighting the run was a massive slam that energized the home crowd. KJ Moore and Hunter Avant fueled the transition offense, combining for 20 points in the third period alone.
“I thought that was maybe one of our best halves,” said DeSoto Central head coach Blake Orman. “Our defensive effort turned into a lot of transition for us. When we’re doing that well, that’s when we’re at our best.”
The Jaguars’ lead ballooned to as many as 30 points in the second half. Moore finished with a game-high 16 points, while Langston Simpson added 13 and Avant chipped in 10.
Jeremiah McGlaun and Marcus Benford each scored 16 points for the Golden Wave.
Orman praised Moore’s aggressiveness in the second half. “To see KJ Moore come out and really attack and get downhill… that really makes things open up for your offense.”
Smith leads Tupelo Lady Wave to a 54-47 victory over DeSoto Central
Senior Olivia Smith poured in 20 points to lead the two-time defending state 7A champs Tupelo Lady Wave to a hard-fought 54-47 victory over DeSoto Central on Tuesday night.
Tupelo established an early rhythm as Smith notched seven points in the opening frame, including a last-second jumper to give the Lady Wave a 15-13 lead. The momentum surged in the second quarter behind True Pearce, who scored eight points to help Tupelo build a 32-22 halftime cushion.
Despite the deficit, DeSoto Central stayed within reach thanks to a heroic second-quarter performance by Moriah White, who accounted for all nine of the Lady Jaguars’ points in the period. White finished as the team’s leading scorer with 12 points.
The Lady Jaguars mounted a comeback in the third quarter, fueled by six points from Kaitlyn Moore. A late 9-0 run tied the game at 39-39, but Cadence Crump—who had four points in the frame—answered with a late bucket to keep Tupelo ahead 41-39 entering the fourth.
In the final minutes, Smith took control once again, scoring six of her game-high 20 points to stave off the rally. Late contributions from DeSoto Central’s Lakelynn Knight and Janiyah Fletcher weren’t enough to bridge the gap as Tupelo secured the seven-point win.
SCOREBOARD
Prep boys basketball
Evangelical Christian 72, Northpoint Christian 37
Lake Cormorant 71, Grenada 50
Olive Branch 61, Center Hill 49
DeSoto Central 69, Tupelo 46
Hernando 66, Horn Lake 56
Lewisburg 39, Southaven 35
Prep girls basketball
Northpoint Christian 35, Evangelical Christian 31
Lake Cormorant 50, Grenada 47
Olive Branch def. Center Hill
Tupelo 54, DeSoto Central 47
Horn Lake 53, Hernando 36
Southaven 50, Lewisburg 47
Photos from Southaven-Horn Lake soccer courtesy Mary Scott, Oak River Media
Prep boys soccer
Southaven 4, Horn Lake 2
Lewisburg 1, DeSoto Central 0
Hernando 2, Tupelo 2 (Hernando wins 6-5 in penalty kicks)
NOTABLES: Calvin Harrison scored the winning penalty kick goal for Hernando in the Tigers’ boys soccer contest at Tupelo…Nailah Herrera led Northpoint Christian girls in scoring with 20 points in the Lady Trojans’ victory over Evangelical Christian…Brianna Kimbrell scored her 50th career goal in Lewisburg’s girls soccer victory at DeSoto Central…Jahmai Mashack scored 18 points among six players in double figures, but the Memphis Hustle lost at the South Bay Lakers..Makenzi Sexton scored the only Lady Gator goal and Luis Cano scored a three-goal hat trick in Lake Cormorant’s soccer sweep of South Panola…Lily Jones scored the only goal of the game in Hernando’s victory over Tupelo in girls’ soccer.
Congratulations to Brianna Kimbrell for getting her 50th career goal tonight!! We are so proud of you!!
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
