Jonesboro-Hodge opened District 1-1A play by lambasting Lincoln Prep 51-20. The victory improved JHHS to 11-13 overall and 1-0 in district play, while L-Prep fell to 2-15 and 0-1.
The victory was a second in a row on the year, which has seen as many ups and downs as an amusement park rollercoaster. Coach Shan Jackson’s squad opened the year by losing 7 of their first 8 before turning things around at the end of the year and beginning of 2026 by winning 7 of 8, which included a season-best 5-game winning streak.
Three players reached “double-figures” in scoring with freshman phenom Samone Mallard leading the way with 15 followed by Sanaa Tatum and Neesha Johnson scoring 12 and 11 points each.
Quitman Rallies Past Weston
Quitman High went on a 15-point run to take control in the 50-39 victory. Anna Claire Leach, who led QHS in scoring with 22 points, was the catalyst in the comeback, making 6 straight free throws, including two that were a result of a Technical Foul against Weston. In the early going, it was all Quitman as the Lady Wolverines jumped out to a 28-14 halftime advantage but behind the play of Rachel Bandy, Gracie Gray, Kate Keiffer and Teegan Hall, all who contributed points,Weston stormed back after the break to win the third period 16-4 to take a 32-20 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The WHS lead went to 35-32 when Quitman head coach Kyle Leach called time out. When QHS came back onto the floor, it was a different story as the Lady Wolverines took off on their 15-point splurge. With their third straight victory, Quitman, improved to 16-7 overall and 2-0 in 1B play, while Weston dropped a third straight to fall to 13-10 and 0-1 in district competition.
Saline Slips by Hornbeck
Defense was the main dish served up on Thursday as the two Class C schools scored in single digits in 7 of the 8 quarters combined in the 34-26 Saline victory that set a new season standard for the Lady Bobcats for fewest combined points in a game this year. Kassidy Sims led Saline in scoring with 10 points, while the twins Lanee and Morgan Cheatwood, twinned up in scoring as well, with 7 points each