Round two of the Jackson Parish rivalry between Quitman and Weston proved to be no contest as QHS made a “senior statement” in the 62-38 victory by the Lady Wolverines and the 80-45 victory by the Quitman boys.
Before the contest, Quitman celebrated “Senior Night” by honoring the nine 12th graders in the basketball program in Cali Deal and Jaleigh Burns from the girls basketball team, Amaurion Thompson, Payton Nomey, Grant Williams, Case Sims, Noah Leach and Gavyn Caskey from the boys team and bookkeeper Marissa Mobley.
With the impressive win, the Lady Wolverines, now 17-9 overall and more importantly a perfect 5-0 in district 1B play has virtually sewed up the district title. Quitman now has a two game lead over second place Weston (18-9, 3-2) with only games against Doyline, who is 1-20 on the year and Simsboro, needing only one win to secure the title. Quitman took early control by running off 13 straight points in the first quarter after an opening basket by Weston setting the stage to a commanding 36-13 lead by the Lady Wolverines at the half.
In regard to the boys, Quitman moves to 21-4 overall and 4-1 in 1B, staying just one game back in the loss column of district leader Simsboro who beat Doyline on Friday to improve to 6-0 in district play. Weston fell to 7-20 on the year and dropped to 0-5 in district 1B play. Much like in the girls game, the Quitman boys took away any thought of a Weston upset early on as they raced out to an 18-4 first quarter lead that blew up to 37-19 at the half. The Wolverines then put the game away in the third period by scoring 30 points.
Senior Statement! The scenario played to perfect form as the two seniors on the Quitman girls roster, Cali Deal and Jaleigh Burns led the Lady Wolverines in scoring and shooting percentage. Deal put her imprint on what is most likely a second straight district 1B MVP performance by scoring 27 points while Burns turned in her second highest scoring output of her career with 12 points that was bolstered by a career best four 3-pointers. Allie Robertson and Anna Leach both chipped in with 9 points, Emma Walker and Taylor Borland scored scored four each and Hallie Kate Pullig added a free throw for Quitman.
It was a special night for the boys seniors as well, especially Noah Leach who celebrated the special event by scoring a career high 25 points. Payton Nomey scored five, which represents his second highest scoring total of the year while Case Sims scored 3, also a second best season high. Gavyn Caskey chipped in with 7 points, Amaurrion Thompson had 2 points and 4 rebounds and Grant Williams gave a tremendous defensive effort.
The play of Anslee Aldy was a bright spot for Weston as she led the Lady Wolves with 8 points and 9 rebounds. Carly Jo Griffin also contributed with 6 points as did Nadia Siadek who added 3 blocks to her stat sheet. Briley Peterson was limited to just four points before fouling out and Olivia Otwell, Rachel Bandy, Ada Claire Tidwell and Carlynn Waters all made two points.
No individual statistics for the WHS boys were available at press time.