Jaguars rally to beat Quistors, OB girls win

Photo: DeSoto Central’s Hunter Avant shoots from long range over Olive Branch Caleb Nix for three of his game-high 22 points during Friday’s 64-57 DeSoto Central boys’ basketball win. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — DeSoto Central held off a late Olive Branch surge Friday night, earning a 64-57 victory in an intense DeSoto County boys’ basketball rivalry matchup played in a packed Shan Whiteside Memorial Gymnasium.

The Jaguars led by just one at halftime, 25-24, after Olive Branch tied the game on a goaltending call before a free throw gave DeSoto Central the edge. In the third quarter, DC opened with a 6-0 run and built a 50-41 lead heading into the final period.

Olive Branch clawed back in the fourth, cutting the deficit to three with just over three minutes remaining. A technical foul on DeSoto Central briefly shifted momentum, but the Conquistadors missed key free throws before hitting a three-pointer to stay close.

With 26.8 seconds left, DeSoto Central clung to a 60-57 lead. A basket off an inbounds pass extended the margin to 62-57, and the Jaguars sealed the win at the free-throw line.

DeSoto Central was led in scoring by Hunter Avant, who finished with 22 points, while KJ Moore added 14. Olive Branch countered with Cordli Smith, who scored 19 points, and Tyler Gillespie, who chipped in 13.

Jaguars’ head coach Blake Orman praised his team’s toughness and effort, noting the importance of hustle plays and defensive intensity.

“I hope it’s a confidence builder for our group,” Orman said. “We’re short on experience, but we’re really talented. If we can put it all together, I like what this group can do.”

Olive Branch girls defeat DeSoto Central 56-35

Olive Branch pulled away in the second half to secure a 56-35 victory over DeSoto Central in girls’ basketball action Friday night.

The Conquistadors led 15-11 after the first quarter and extended their advantage to 30-17 at halftime. DeSoto Central managed to cut the deficit to single digits in the third quarter, but Olive Branch responded with a strong run to take a 41-30 lead heading into the final period.

Olive Branch continued to control the pace in the fourth quarter, stretching its lead to 47-32 midway through the frame before closing out the win.

Caleigh Nix led the Lady Quistors with 18 points, while Jayden Matthews added 13. DeSoto Central was paced by Amara Ekeyi with nine points. Lakelynn Knight and Sara Doyne each contributed six points for the Lady Jags.

Friday, Dec. 5

Prep boys’ basketball

• Lewisburg 54, Northpoint Christian 37 
• DeSoto Central 64, Olive Branch 57
• Southaven 46, Horn Lake 35
• Lake Cormorant 56, South Panola 43

Prep girls basketball

• Northpoint Christian 40, Lewisburg 26
• Olive Branch 56, DeSoto Central 35
• South Panola 57, Lake Cormorant 44
• Southaven 38, Horn Lake 33

NBA G League basketball

• Memphis Hustle 124, Birmingham Squadron 99

NOTABLES: Aidan Becksfort scored 14 points and had 14 rebounds for Northpoint Christian in the Trojans’ loss to Lewisburg…Londyn Griffin and Nailah Herrera each scored 10 points to lead Northpoint in the girls’ game victory.