Russell Hedges
rhedges@bossierpress.com
The Rusheon Lady Rams eighth-grade team and Benton Lady Tigers seventh-grade team won key district games in girls middle school basketball action Thursday.
Rusheon edged Haughton 31-29 at Haughton in a battle for the district lead. The Lady Rams are 5-1 in district and Haughton is 4-2.
The Lady Tigers improved to 6-0 in the seventh-grade district with a hard-fought 30-27 victory over Greenacres at Greenacres. The victory gave Benton a two-game lead over the Lady Mustangs with four to play.
In other eighth-grade games, Greenacres downed Benton 24-18, and Cope defeated Elm Grove 43-15.
In other seventh-grade games, Haughton dropped Rusheon 36-17 and Elm Grove got past Cope 33-23.
At Haughton, Destiny Thomas scored 11 points and Crishawnna Jones added seven to lead the Lady Rams eighth-graders to the win.
Leah Hopson topped Haughton with 11 points, and Champagne Dennis had eight. Hopson hit two 3-pointers.
Charandra Johnson scored eight points for the Rusheon seventh-grade team and Mel Lewis had six.
At Greenacres, Emily Ward scored 13 points and went five of seven from the line in the fourth quarter to help the Benton seventh-graders stay unbeaten.
Savannah Powell and Abbie Wynn combined for 11 points.
Benton coach MaryJo Duddy said Morgan Bradford and Madison Breazeale rebounded strong, and Abby Colvin and Mackenzie Chaffin played great defense.
Traciona Russell scored 11 points and Ladayjah Means 10 to the lead the Lady Mustangs.
Camilla Rodriguez paced the victorious Greenacres eighth-grade team with 10 points.
Tasia Dagley and Samone Thomas combined for nine.
Mackenzie McEntee led Benton with eight points. Mackenzie Terhune, Malorie Gill and Braylin Shaffer combined for 10 in a game that tight all the way.
Duddy said Taylor Ennis and Breelea Johnson played strong defense on the baseline, and Brittney McLelland blocked numerous shots.
At Elm Grove, Traclyn Bell scored 10 points, Natavia Anthony nine and Madeline Grunewald eight to lead the Lady Eagles seventh-graders to the win.
Jaisha Banks topped Cope with 13 points. Brooklyn Brandon and Emily Francis combined for 10.
Chloe Walker poured in 17 points to lift the Elm Grove eighth-graders to the victory. Jasmine Dawson added 10 points, and Courtney Walker had eight.
Jalyn Robertson and Courtney Walker helped Cope build on a 12-6 halftime lead with their pressure defense. Dawson blocked numerous shots in the paint.
Elm Grove’s Triona Harris and Dionisha Wilson combined for 11 points.
The teams return to action Monday.
Haughton hosts Benton, Greenacres hosts Cope and Rusheon hosts Elm Grove.
