By Ike House
Friday the Cougars faced off against a big district opponent in M.S. Palmer. The outcome was mixed with the junior varsity boys and varsity girls winning but the varsity boys falling short.
The junior varsity boys played a big game and are becoming better with each game. In the early minutes of the first quarter, the Cougars went to the free throw line eight times. In the first the Cougars put up their highest scoring output with 16 points.
The starting five did all of the scoring for the Cougars in the first. In the second the trips to the line continued but the success did not as the Cougars only put up seven points and went one for seven from the charity stripe. The Cougars went to the half with a 23-15 lead.
In the second half the Cougars defense was strong as they only gave up 11 points for the entire half.
The scoring also slowed down for the Cougars as they only put together 17 points in the half. They ran the clock in the fourth and walked away with a victory by a final of 40-26.
Leading the way for the Cougars was Phillip Mangrum with nine points. Other scorers were Mario Fenner Jr. with seven points, Davonte Cathey with five, Jay’Sean Smith, Roydarius Jackson and Kenneth Jefferson all with four each. Deshaun Smith, Mardarkkious Walls and Antwayn Slasher all ended with two while Sylvonta Oliver finished with one.
For the Lady Cougars they had a similar outcome with a big time win of the Lady Dragons who they already defeated 52-24 only weeks ago. In the first the Lady Cougars took off slow with only eight points in the quarter.
In the second Jasmine Mays came up big off the bench with eight points to help give the Lady Cougars a boost. The Lady Cougars went into the half with a 34-18 lead.
After the half the Lady Cougars came out physical having four trips to the line. They were big on free throws as they went five for eight at the line.
In the final quarter they were patient and ran the clock to end the game and walk away with a win. After dominating the entire night the Lady Cougars had a big district win of 57-31.
Leading the Lady Cougars was LaErica Spann with 12 points. Other scorers were Jasmine Mays with eight points, Kenya Edwards with seven, ShaQuanta Pettis, KiTyra Webb and Denisha Montgomery with six points each. Dikisha Wilbourn, QuiTonya Webster both had two while Leah Shorty and Shekiva Loveberry with one each.
In the final matchup of the night the Cougars were looking to redeem themselves after they were defeated by Palmer once this season 63-50.
Jamarcus Jones was looking to lead his team to victory with big performance as last game he had 21 points and 15 rebounds. Jones is averaging a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds per game.
In the first the Cougars only had 10 points and had seven turnovers that led to 21 points for Palmer. Palmer played with a two group system with a starting five and a bench five that played at the same pace.
In the second the cougars picked up the scoring a bit more but it was mostly from the line. They went six for ten from the line. They were able to pull closer with 34-28 score. After the half the Dragons pulled off leading by 18 at one point, but before the quarter ended the Cougars forced some major turnovers that led to big points.
They pulled in going into the fourth with a score of 46-39. In the final quarter the Cougars looked to get the lead which they did not have for the entire game.
The Cougars seemed like they would pull off the task getting the lead to four but it was not enough as the Dragons finished off the Cougars with a final of 73-61.
Leading the way for the Cougars was Jones with 24 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Other scorers were Demetrick Porter with 10 points, six rebounds and two steals. Darrell Young had eight points, five rebounds, one assist and a steal. Ankeyvias Harris had three points, three rebounds and three steals. Vennis Mills had two points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal. Mario Fenner Jr. had two points and four rebounds. Kenneth Jefferson had two points and a block. Demetrick Moore had one point and an assist. Jarvis Renix had one point and one steal.
The Cougars will be home tonight to host Senatobia in non-conference varsity action only beginning at 6 p.m.
Friday, the Cougars travel to Tunica to take on Rosa Fort in non-conference action at 5 o,n,