The Haughton Lady Bucs and Benton Lady Tigers got their seasons off to great starts with victories Monday night.
Haughton defeated Lakeview 52-38 at Haughton. Benton downed Ruston 53-40 in Lyndzee McConathy’s first game as head coach at Benton.
Plain Dealing’s opener against Evangel Christian was canceled by Evangel, Lady Lions Head Coach Robby Lockwood said. Plain Dealing opens its season Tuesday at home against Bossier.
At Haughton, Skylar Branch and Shaniya Perkins led the Lady Bucs with 23 and 18 points, respectively.
Bella Hammond added 10.
Branch scored 13 in the first half as the Lady Bucs took a 29-24 lead.
Branch had six and Perkins five in the third. Haughton extended its lead to 42-31. The Lady Bucs limited the Lady Gators to seven points in both the third and fourth quarters.
Timberlyn Washington led Lakeview with 22 points.
Haughton hosts Homer Tuesday. The Haughton Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held between games.
At Benton, Bella Wiese and Jannah Carter scored 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Sugar Sanchez barely missed a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds.
Lainey Lafitte had a team-high 14 rebounds along with six points. Taylor Brown had six points and six rebounds.
Benton faces Lakeview in the Battle on the Hardwood Classic Wednesday at 3:30 at Parkway.
In other season openers Tuesday, Parkway hosts Arcadia, and Airline hosts West Monroe.