After starting the season by losing their first six games of the year the Jonesboro Hodge Lady Tigers won their first two of the year in back to back fashion during the West Ouachita Tournament played this past weekend. It was a stalwart defensive effort in both that allowed only 28 points in each while also posting the most points in a game this year that put an end to the early season misery.
“I am proud of the way the girls have continued to work to get better,” said head coach Kris Cash. “Hopefully this will be the start of us turning the season around.”
JHHS 40 D’Arbonne Woods 28: (girls) The swarming JHHS defense forced a season-best 42 turnovers that included 22 steals and limited DWC to just a 19% field goal average while the offense grabbed 20 offensive rebounds and scored 32 points in the paint. It was a balanced attack that saw eight of the ten players on the roster score and three ties for game-high scoring honors in LeRonda McGuire, Tyya Davis, and Kaelin Palmer all finishing with 8 points apiece. A’Joriana Hoggro, who also registered a career-high nine steals in the contest had six points, Morgan McGee added five, and McKenzie Bradford, Jalenya Jackson, and Jessica Bradford tallied two apiece.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| JHHS (1-6) | 9 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 40 |
| DWC (1-5) | 3 | 6 | 12 | 7 | 28 |
JHHS 31 Loyola Prep 28: (girls) Kaelin Palmer scored three of her team high 11 ponts and Jalyena Jackson hit a clutch three pointer for her only points in the game in the fourth period as JHHS rallied from a 26-25 third quarter deficit to take the victory. Adding to the victory was a stout defensive effort in the final frame that allowed Loyola Prep only two points. A’Joriana Hoggro scored eight on the night, including six in the third quarter to help the Lady Tigers pull to within one. LeRonda McGuire added six and Jamauri Kimble hit three of four free throws to round out the scoring.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| JHHS (2-6) | 8 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 31 |
| LOYOLA PREP (1-7) | 6 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 28 |
Franklin Parish 78 JHHS 54 (boys): The 9th ranked team in Division II “non-select” won their fifth straight and improved to 7-3 on the season by outscoring the Tigers in every quarter. Starting the week as #1 among “non-select” schools in Division IV, the Tigers lost their second straight to even their season record at 2-2. Ajay Tew scored 15 to lead the locals while Zion Gray added 13. Jaylin Barnes and Jarrius Lumpkin scored six each and both Savantex Phillips and Kaelin Boston added five. ZaMarion Palmer and Edward Beard finished with three.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| JHHS (2-2) | 13 | 14 | 17 | 10 | 54 |
| FPHS (7-3) | 21 | 17 | 20 | 29 | 78 |
JHHS 50 Neville 38 (boys) JHHS held their Division I opponent to just two first-quarter points and allowed only a season-low 38 points to get back on track and up their record to 3-2. The victory moved the Tigers to #7 in the power rankings while Neville fell to 3-5 on the year. Ajay Tew poured in a season-best 26 points that included a perfect 6/6 from the line to lead the offensive effort. Zion Gray added 11, Savantez Phillips 6, Jarrius Lumpkin 5, and Za’Marion Palmer scored two for the Tigers who will host Lincoln Prep on Tuesday and travel to undefeated Sterlington, which is ranked 2nd in Divison III, on Thursday.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| JHHS (3-2) | 9 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 50 |
| Neville (3-5) | 2 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 38 |
