Photo: Eric Oliver (2) of Horn Lake shoots over DeSoto Central’s Josh Jackson (3) during the second half of Thursday’s Region 1-7A contest at Horn Lake. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Horn Lake boys basketball pinned the season’s first loss on DeSoto Central Thursday night in a 70-60 victory between two athletic teams that were both quick on the court and willing to go from end to end all night long.
Trey Wilson led the Eagles in scoring with 16 points, closely followed by Eric Oliver with 15 and Kemauri Mack added 11.
Josh Jackson paced the Jaguars with 15 points, supported by KJ Patrick with 13 and Cam Champion with 10.
After a fast and frenetic first quarter, Horn Lake held a 19-15 lead going into the second quarter of play. Trey Wilson’s seven points led the way for the Eagles in the opening eight minutes while Cam Champion answered with a trio of baskets for a six-point quarter.
At halftime, Horn Lake had pushed the margin to six points at 35-29. Blake Price stepped up for six points in the frame for the Jaguars while Eric Oliver took charge for the Eagles with six points, including a three-pointer.
KJ Patrick of DeSoto Central drives past Jordan Simmons Horn Lake during Thursday’s game won by the Eagles. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Coming out of the locker room and going into the third quarter, Horn Lake would add to the lead but not before DeSoto Central had cut the margin 41-36 with under six minutes left in the period. The Eagles would bounce back at 54-42 advantage at the quarter’s end. Jackson and Patrick were held to four points each in the frame while Wilson stroked a three-pointer among his seven points in the period.
Jacob Curtis’ seven points (including a three pointer) were not enough for DeSoto Central in the final eight minutes of the game.
Eagles’ coach Chico Potts felt the win was important getting back near the top of the Region 1-7A race.
“We let one slip away with the loss to Southaven so we put ourselves behind the eight-ball as far as where we want to go in the district,” Potts said. “Knowing that DeSoto Central is one of the better teams, if not the best team in the district, we knew we had to have a good game against them.”
With the victory, Horn Lake improved to 13-2 overall and 3-1 in Region 1-7A. DeSoto Central dropped to 17-5 overall and 5-1 in the region.
“We’re going to keep grinding,” Potts said, telling his players, “We need to do some push ups, sit ups, do some things to not lose a game due to this weather.”
Horn Lake’s Jamiya Jones drives toward the basket as Londen Armstrong of DeSoto Central defends. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
(G) DeSoto Central 49, Horn Lake 46 The Lady Jags trailed for much of the contest, but DeSoto Central took a 41-40 lead with 4:48 remaining and held on for the three-point victory.
The Lady Eagles took an 11-6 lead after one quarter and held a 26-22 lead at halftime. Jamiya Jones scored eight points in the first half and Lamyah Harris poured in seven points. DeSoto Central was led by Lakelynn Knight with 11 points.
In the second half, the Lady Jags were able to knot the contest up at 30-30 with 3:20 remaining in the quarter but Horn Lake was able to grab a 36-32 advantage going into the final frame.
Knight led all scorers with 18 points and Londen Armstrong added 15. Jones paced Horn Lake with 12.
SPORTS ETC.: The closure Friday of all local schools means any sporting events scheduled for Friday have also been called off for Friday. That includes the basketball games for Northpoint Christian at Harding Academy.
