Photo: Center Hill’s Dorian Bagley (1) looks to score against Power Center Academy Monday morning in the Battle of the Borders. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. — Local DeSoto County high school basketball teams are utilizing the Thanksgiving holiday week to sharpen their skills and gain momentum ahead of crucial region play later in the season. The teams are featuring in holiday classics and tournaments, providing valuable experience and exposure for their players.
Two of the county’s teams, Lake Cormorant and Center Hill, participated in the Battle of the Borders classic at Olive Branch High School on Monday, which also hosted both boys’ and girls’ teams from the host school.
Gators Secure First Win at Classic
The Lake Cormorant Gators boys’ team kicked off their tournament run with a 53-42 victory over MASE in the first game of the classic Monday morning. The win marked the Gators’ first of the young season.
Demario Jones Jr. of Lake Cormorant High School.
Game MVP Demario Jones Jr. led the charge, scoring 21 points for Lake Cormorant.
Lake Cormorant coach Kendrick Davis emphasized the defensive nature of the victory and the importance of having his full squad back, including players recently finished with the football season.
“It was a really defensive game, physical game. We ended up winning 53 to 42. This is my first game [with a full roster],” Davis said. “I had my football guys back, so we got to get those guys in basketball shape. But I thought we played pretty well defensively. We still need room for improvement offensively.”
Davis sees events like the Battle of the Borders as a vital “showcase” for his players’ abilities.
“I think an event like this, you know, this is a showcase for the guys to showcase their skills in front of some college coaches,” he said. “And also, you know, you’re competing against a really good team.”
Jones Jr., a senior leader, is expected to be a key contributor after recovering from injuries that sidelined him last season.
“Demario is a kid, he was five and oh last year, and he tore both his patella tendons last year as a junior. So we lost him for the rest of the year. He’s back this year. He’s a senior leader, and he’s going to do really well for us,” Davis said.
The Gators’ roster features several seniors, including Demar Bryant and Messiah Dunn, alongside football returnees like freshman shooting guard JD McGregor and Jarvis Clement.
Mustangs Rally for Defensive Victory
Following the Gators, the Center Hill Mustangs secured their own tight victory, defeating Power Center Academy 44-41. In a defensive struggle, the Mustangs rallied late, scoring the last four points to seal the win.
K.J. Irby of Center Hill, game MVP vs. Power Center Academy
Center Hill coach Julius Cosby was pleased to notch the first victory for his “very young, green group.”
“It’s a win that we needed. It was our first one of the season with a very young, green group,” Cosby said. “We [are] always in close games, and we can’t figure out a win. Hopefully, that springboard us to winning more games, more close games.”
Junior guard K.J. Irby was named Game MVP after leading Center Hill with 13 points. Cosby praised Irby’s effort and toughness.
“K.J. Irby, he played well. He’s a junior… and now he’s growing into [the role],” Cosby commented. “[He brings] toughness, the toughness that we have from a small frame. So it’s a little dog mindset that he has, that he gets after it.”
Cosby stressed the necessity of staying sharp through the break, as the competition will intensify in December and January when region play begins.
“It’s just great to be playing over the holiday break, because over the holiday break, most times people just want to go relax and all that stuff. But you got to keep your condition and let it springboard you into December,” he said.
SCOREBOARD
Monday, Nov. 24
Prep basketball
DeSoto Central 57, Bayou Academy 39
Lake Cormorant 53, MASE 42
Center Hill 44, PCA 41
Olive Branch 43, St. George’s 41
Hernando 66, Water Valley 41
Lewisburg 51, Shannon 41
Ingomar 72, Magnolia Heights 69 (overtime)
Lausanne Collegiate 65, Horn Lake 50
Prep basketball
MBA 66, Olive Branch 63
Wheeler 52, Lewisburg 21
Magnolia Heights 63, Nettleton 30
Morton 48, Lake Cormorant 18
AS SEEN ON X/TWITTER
Northwest Rangers finish at number four in the NJCAA Division I football rankings and will play number-one ranked Hutchinson, Kansas at Hutchinson on Dec. 6th in the semifinals.
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.
