Photo: Kedrick Simmons of Booneville (5) tries to shoot as Antonio Hassell (2) of Olive Branch defends in Tuesday’s 52-43 victory by the Conquistadors. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
BOYS BASKETBALL: OLIVE BRANCH 52, BOONEVILLE 43
Olive Branch boys’ basketball coach Eric Brumbaugh says he wants his team to be tested every game, so he schedules a difficult schedule. The latest test came to Charlie Bibbs Gymnasium Tuesday night in the Booneville Blue Devils.
Olive Branch was able to hold on and beat the Blue Devils 52-43, which was a nice rebound from a 40-33 loss to Starkville in the Quistors’ last outing. Tuesday’s win improved the Quistors’ record to 2-1. Booneville lost for the first time after three straight victories.
“The schedule has been tough to start out and that’s on purpose,” Brumbaugh said. “I want to be tested every night and Booneville is one of the best teams in the state every year.”
Last year’s Blue Devils team was ranked as high as fifth in Class 3A last season, won the state championship over Coahoma County 46-43, and finished with a 30-2 record.
The Conquistadors, last year’s 6A champs, took a 16-13 lead at the end of a fast-paced first quarter, thanks to a last-second three-pointer from King George. Reece Garrison had five points in the quarter for Olive Branch.
Booneville rallied in the second quarter to take a 29-26 lead at halftime, as small forward Kedrick Simmons scored nine of his 11 first-half points in the frame.
In the third quarter, it was Olive Branch’s turn to recover, as the Conquistadors took a 39-36 lead into the final eight minutes of the game. Garrison would score five of Olive Branch’s 13 points in the period.
The Quistors were able to hold off the Blue Devils in the final quarter for the win, as junior guard Antonio Hassell scored five of the team’s 13 points in the last quarter.
In the victory, George finished with 14 points, Garrison and Trey King each scored 10 points. Camryn Hampton was the leading scorer for the Blue Devils with 13 points.
“I felt good about the way we were moving the ball and the way we handled the pressure, you know, because towards the end they put a lot of pressure on us,” Brumbaugh said.
More challenges await the Quistors, who play Rossville Christian on Friday and then head to Horn Lake on Tuesday next week.
We know what it takes to get to Jackson (state tournament) and I challenge these guys every single day to do the small stuff that’s going to matter down the stretch,” Brumbaugh said. “We got better at that today.”
Tuesday, Nov. 12
Prep basketball
Lake Cormorant 51, Lewisburg 39
Olive Branch 52, Booneville 43
DeSoto Central 79, Pontotoc 44
Center Hill 69, Hernando 50
Southaven 52, South Panola 49
Horn Lake 78, Rosa Fort 55
GIRLS BASKETBALL: BOONEVILLE 40, OLIVE BRANCH 38
The Lady Quistors found themselves in a hole late in the first half, trailing 21-17 at halftime after leading the Lady Blue Devils 10-6 after one quarter of play. Olive Branch outscored Booneville 21-19 in the second half, but trailed by six at 30-24 at one time in the third quarter before starting a slow comeback. The Lady Quistors crept back to within 39-36 Booneville with 25.2 seconds left but could get no closer than the final score.
Vadaija Pimpton was the leading scorer for Olive Branch with seven points in the loss. Ava Kate Smith led all scorers for Booneville with 16 points.
Booneville finished last season reaching the 3A state finals before dropping a 40-39 game to Belmont. This year’s team is 3-1. Olive Branch fell to 1-2.
Prep girls basketball
Lake Cormorant 49, Lewisburg 20
Booneville 40, Olive Branch 38
Pontotoc 56, DeSoto Central 39
Hernando 60, Center Hill 46
Hernando: Fran Kelly-35, Jaliah Kelly-12
Center Hill: Kennedy Hulbert-12, Jakayla Williams-9
