Roundup: Jaguars sweep past Byhalia

Photo: Jayce Graham of DeSoto Central battles a Byhalia opponent for rebounding position during Saturday’s contest. (Bob Bakken/DeSoto County Sports)

THE VITAL STATISTICS

Boys’ basketball

DeSoto Central 69, Byhalia 58

Olive Branch 74, Holmes County Central 61

Girls’ basketball

DeSoto Central 51, Byhalia 16

Girls’ soccer

Lewisburg 4, Starkville 1 

JUCO Football playoffs – MACCC semifinals

Northwest Mississippi 26, Jones College 20

JUCO Women’s soccer playoffs – MACCC/Region 23 semifinals

Jones College 6, Northwest Mississippi 0 

Note: See separate story for state cross country coverage. 

DESOTO CENTRAL BOYS 69, BYHALIA 58

The Jaguar boys evened their season record to 1-1 with the 69-58 victory played at home on Saturday afternoon. The game was originally set for Byhalia but was moved to DeSoto Central due to a mechanical issue in the Byhalia gymnasium. The teams switched home dates as a result with DeSoto Central playing at Byhalia in December. 

In a closely contested first half, the Indians held a one-point lead after one quarter at 14-13. The Jaguars tied the game at 25-25 heading into the locker room at halftime.  

The third quarter began with DeSoto Central putting together a run of points aided by a technical foul against Byhalia which quickly gave the Jaguars a five-point lead at 30-25 and they were never headed after that. 

The Jaguars fashioned a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter at 63-47 before Byhalia rallied to get within 11 at the end of the contest.  

Dorian Whitley was the primary offensive threat for DeSoto Central in the victory, erupting for 35 points, 22 of which came after halftime. 

“He’s really come a long way,” said Jaguars’ coach Blake Ormon. “He’s a very solid player, a great rebounder, great hustler, but we pushed him over the off-season to become more of a scorer. We’re going to need him to become even better.”

Alex Pete added 12 points for the Jaguars, coming off a one-point loss to Madison Central in the season opener.  Derrick Beard was the leading scorer for Byhalia with 21 points.  

DESOTO CENTRAL GIRLS 51, BYHALIA 16

Tanaija Bratcher paced DeSoto Central with 12 points as the Lady Jags breezed to a 51-16 win against the Lady Indians in what was the nightcap of the Saturday afternoon of basketball.  

“She shot it well,” said DeSoto Central coach Gwendolyn Johnson Petty. “She’s been working on her shot lately, coming in the gym and trying to get some extra shots up. I was very proud of her effort.” 

Byhalia scored the first basket of the game but it was all DeSoto Central after that. The Lady Jags forged a 19-5 lead after one quarter and a 33-12 advantage at halftime. 

In a second half played with a running clock, DeSoto Central increased the lead to 42-15 heading into the final quarter. 

Bratcher added six rebounds and five steals in the Lady Jags’ victory.  

DeSoto Central is now 2-0 for the season and plays Tuesday against Horn Lake.  

WORTH NOTING

• Landon Jeffries led Olive Branch boys with 21 points in the Conquistadors’ 74-61 victory over Holmes County Central. The victory came as part of the Southern Sports Platform Tip-Off Classic at New Hope (Columbus) High School. Jeffries added seven rebounds, six assists and five steals in the win. Jaylyn Tyler added 15 points for the Quistors.  
• Bella Moore scored two goals for Lewisburg in the Lady Patriots’ 4-1 girls’ soccer victory at Starkville. After the Lady Yellowjackets had tied the match at 1-1, Lewisburg scored three unanswered goals to seal the victory.