Russell Hedges
rhedges@bossierpress.com
The Benton Lady Tigers closed in on the Bossier Parish seventh-grade middle school girls’ basketball title with a 32-17 victory over the Haughton Lady Bucs Monday at Haughton.
The Lady Tigers, who improved to 7-0, can clinch a share of the title with a victory over Rusheon at home Thursday.
In other seventh-grade games, the second-place Greenacres Lady Mustangs downed Cope 32-21, and the Elm Grove Lady Eagles dropped Rusheon 25-16.
Meanwhile, the eighth-grade district race tightened thanks to Elm Grove’s 31-15 victory over Rusheon.
Rusheon and Haughton, which defeated Benton 35-17, are tied for first at 5-2 with three games left.
Elm Grove and Greenacres, which got past Cope 24-18, are one game back.
At Haughton, Emily Ward continued her outstanding season with a double-double, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 points to lead the Benton seventh-graders.
Mackenzie Chaffin and Madison Breazeale combined for seven.
Benton seventh-grader Emily Ward heads to the basket during the Lady Tigers’ victory over Haughton Monday.
Abbie Wynn had 12 rebounds and played outstanding defense, coach MaryJo Duddy said. Morgan Brandon and Karmeisha Bradley combined for 10 rebounds.
Savannah Powell and Abby Colvin also had good games defensively, Duddy said.
Maegan Staton and Keeana Barber led the Haughton eighth-grade team to the win with eight and seven points, respectively.
Mayghan Myers and Champagne Dennis helped the Lady Bucs’ cause with six each.
Brooklyn Shaffer had eight points, three blocked shots and 13 rebounds to lead Benton. Malorie Gill, Mackenzie Terhune, Mackenzie McEntee and Brittney McLelland combined for the Lady Tigers’ other nine points.
At Greenacres, balanced scoring helped the Lady Mustangs seventh-graders win.
Brooklyn Sutton led the way with eight points. Traciona Russell had seven, Kourtnee White six and Zakiya Johnson four.
Brooklyn Brandon led Cope with seven points. Jaisha Banks and Courtney Clawson had six each.
Samone Thomas paced the victorious Greenacres eighth-graders with 10 points, and Comuilla Rodriquez had seven.
Jasmine Dawson topped Cope with 11 points.
At Rusheon, Natavia Anthony led the Elm Grove seventh-grade team with 14 points. Madeline Grunewald added 10.
Mel Lewis topped Rusheon with eight. Tymya Poole, Jamie Rhone and Essence Wallpool combined for eight.
Akiyra Jefferson scored nine points, Kaylan Coker eight and Dionisha Wilson six to lead the Lady Eagles eighth-grade team to the victory.
