Photo: DeSoto Central’s Blake Price (0) reaches high for a rebound in Wednesday’s game against Horn Lake. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
DESOTO CENTRAL BOYS 62, HORN LAKE 46
The DeSoto Central Jaguars secured their place in the Region 1-7A title game with a hard-fought 62-46 victory over Horn Lake, a contest defined by tactical adjustments and late-game composure. While the final margin suggests a comfortable win, the Eagles’ physicality and early defensive pressure forced the Jaguars to find a higher gear.
DeSoto Central entered halftime with a slim 26-20 lead, but the fourth quarter brought a perimeter onslaught from Horn Lake’s Jared McClain. McClain, who led all scorers with 17 points, drilled consecutive threes to bring the Eagles within five points. However, the Jaguars remained unshaken. Hunter Avant shook off a slow start to finish with 16 points, dominating the glass and sparking transition opportunities that shifted the momentum for good.
Tensions peaked with less than four minutes remaining when a technical foul on the Horn Lake bench—following a disputed traveling call—further deflated the Eagles’ comeback hopes. Jaguars coach Blake Orman lauded his team’s resiliency, noting how they successfully “plugged gaps” to stop middle penetration. With Kayson Moore chipping in 10 points and a stifling defensive effort in the closing minutes, the Jaguars pulled away. They now look toward Friday’s championship, while Horn Lake regroups for the third-place matchup.
TUPELO BOYS 70, LEWISBURG 31
The Tupelo Golden Wave surged into the 1-7A championship game with a clinical 70-31 dismantling of Lewisburg. While the Patriots’ Jayden Lloyd electrified the crowd with a buzzer-beating half-court heave to end the first quarter, the momentum shifted permanently when Lewisburg’s Asher Morgan suffered a hard fall just as the first half ended and left the contest.
Trailing 28-14 at the break, the Patriots struggled to find rhythm without Morgan. Tupelo exploited the void, orchestrated by Jay Fields’ 15-point performance. By the fourth quarter, the Wave had extended their lead to 39 points.
DESOTO CENTRAL GIRLS 38, HORN LAKE 33
DeSoto Central utilized a balanced scoring attack and disciplined defensive play to grind out a 38-33 victory over Horn Lake, earning a spot in the 1-7A championship game. The Jaguars maintained a steady lead through three quarters, entering the final period with a 30-18 advantage.
While Horn Lake’s Kaleigh Holiday led all scorers with 14 points and sparked a 15-point fourth-quarter surge, the Eagles couldn’t quite close the gap. Lakelynn Knight paced the Jaguars with nine points, supported by seven-point efforts from Amara Ekeyi and Micah Woolery. DeSoto Central now faces Tupelo for the crown.
TUPELO GIRLS 78, HERNANDO 27
The Tupelo Lady Wave secured a spot in the 1-7A championship with a relentless 78-27 routing of Hernando. From the opening tip, Tupelo’s offensive machinery was unstoppable, building a 46-12 cushion by halftime. The 34-point deficit was so significant that officials utilized a running clock for the duration of the second half. Destiney Trice led all scorers with 19 points, while Kobi Sparrow followed closely with 18. Hernando, led by Hannah Cole’s 9 points, struggled to find an answer for Tupelo’s depth.
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.
