At this rate a new trophy case is going to need to be built just for Quitman Junior High basketball. Already this season the junior boys and girls teams have brought home hardware from tournaments SIX times, as in three apiece.
Each time, including the three games QJH won in their own tourney this weekend, the victories have been in undefeated fashion. Added to the two “non-tourney” wins both squads now sport perfect 11-0 records.
In the boys finals Quitman beat Weston 57-33 that sets a mark for the highest combined scoring game of the season in Jackson Parish. The loss dropped Weston’s mark to 5-3 on the year, as in a perfect 5-0 against all other teams and 0-3 against their parish neighbors. Quitman advanced to the title game by beating Calvin 33-11 and Castor 54-24 while Weston reached the finals by beating Choudrant 24-18 and Claiborne Christian 44-33.
The QJH girls once again cruised to an easy victory by beating Choudrant 33-17 in the finals. On a side note, the incredible streak of QJH not allowing a team to score in double figures in any quarter this season ends at 43 straight. What makes that a shame is Choudrant scored 11 points in the final quarter after trailing 33-6 and coach Kyle Leach had pulled the starters. QJH advanced to the championship game by by beating Calvin 31-11 and Castor 40-4. The Weston girls fell to Choudrant 23-15 in the opening round.
Quitman sweeps Saline in midweek action
Both the QJH boys and girls stayed perfect on the season. For the girls, it was business as usual as they stormed past Saline 41-16 but it was a different scenario altogether for the boys, who had to rally for a 28-24 victory.
Quitman 41 Saline 16 (girls): There was never any doubt as to who would win this one. Nyesha Johnson hit a season best pair of three pointers in the first quarter and Emma Walker added six of her team high 12 points to pace Quitman to a 15-8 first quarter lead that continued to grow exponentially, building to a 37-14 lead after three on the strength of six of Anna Leach’s nine points total. Kinsley pitched in with a season best four points as did Taylor Borland followed by two from Jana Potts, Hallie Kate Pullig and Brooklyn Boone. Fifth grader, JaLynn Jiles, scored six points to lead Saline with Kasidy Sims adding five. Both Ally Fine and Brooklyn Page-Loys scored two and Kaylan Hough added a free throw to round out the Saline scoring.
Quitman 28 Saline 24 (boys): Down 22-18 heading into the fourth quarter, Shane Reed and Taden Thomas scored four each and Brayden Martin added a basket and Quitman allowed upset minded Bobcats only two points to rally for the victory.
“We almost got ’em,” said Saline coach Klint Robinson. “I am proud of the way the guys fought but give Quitman credit for coming back. They are a good team.”
The contest see sawed back and forth with Quitman taking a 9-8 first quarter lead only to see Saline go up by one at 15-14 at the half. The Bobcats then stretched the advantage to four points heading into the final frame setting the stage for the 10-2 fourth quarter push by Quitman.
Reed totaled ten, Martin 8 and Thomas 7 as the “three amigos” who usually lead the Wolverines in scoring paved the way again by scoring all but three of Quitman’s points. Rylan Reynolds added two and Jack Thomas hit a free throw to round out the Wolverines scoring. Saline was led by Conner Roberts with 12 points, Elijah Calloway added six, Jackson Bougues scored four and Rylan Mauthe tallied two for the Bobcats.