The Benton Tigers and Bossier Bearkats advanced to the quarterfinals of the Bossier Invitational with victories on Wednesday.
Benton defeated Red River 75-65 and Bossier downed Mansfield 69-38. In other first-round games, Green Oaks topped Ruston 65-53, Richwood defeated Booker T. Washington 75-63 and Huntington downed Union Parish 48-32.
In Thursday’s quarterfinal games, DeRidder (15-3) faces Richwood (9-11) at 3:30, Natchitoches Central (15-1) takes on Benton (10-6) at 5, Bossier (11-6) plays Green Oaks (10-11) at 6:30 and Southwood (8-9) meets Huntington (8-8) at 8.
Jalen Harding, who is having an outstanding season, poured in 31 points in Benton’s victory over Red River, which finished third in last week’s Willis-Knighton “Doc” Edwards Invitational.
Cameron Robinson added 16 and Ethan Yarbrough eight.
Gakerreon McDonald paced Red River (13-7) with 27 points.
The Tigers rallied from a 25-12 first-quarter deficit. They cut the deficit to three at the half and trailed 47-46 after the third quarter. Benton dominated the fourth, outscoring Red River 29-18.
Jacoby Decker and Kaalas Roots scored 17 and 16 points, respectively, in Bossier’s victory.
Tim King added 13 and Dante Bell 10.
Bossier led 15-11 after the first quarter and then took control in the second with an 18-9 run.
Joseph Smith scored 30 points, including five 3-pointers, in Richwood’s win.
Leon Chambers and Le’Treveon Jones led BTW with 21 and 20, respectively.
Tahj Davis scored 20 points to lead Huntington to its win.
— Russell Hedges, rhedges@bossierpress.com
