The final junior high basketball tournament of the season will be played on Thursday and Friday at Weston High School. Expected to compete are 8 teams in the girls division and 7 in the boys bracket, with Calvin, Choudrant, Castor, Claiborne Christian, Dodson, and Quitman along with the Weston “A” and “B” teams on the girls side and all the same playing in the boys bracket, minus the “B” team from host Weston.
Headlining the tourney is the host Weston Lady Wolves, who will look to continue their season-long 14-game winning streak when they open tourney play against Claiborne Christian at 6:45 pm on Thursday. Another local team worthy of mention is the boys’ team from Quitman Junior High, who will put their 12-3 record on the line against Calvin after the Weston girls’ “B” team opens the tournament at 3:45 on Thursday. In other action involving local schools, the Quitman girls (5-7) will play Dodson in the nightcap on Thursday, with tip-off expected at 8:15 p.m., and the Weston boys (3-11) will play Claiborne Christian at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Tuesday Tilts
Weston 31, Saline 20 (Girls): As has been the case for most of the now 14-game season-long winning streak, Weston was led offensively by Saniyah Salsberry and Kate Keiffer. The pair scored 12 and 11 points each and accounted for all but eight of the Lady Wolverines’ points, which came from Hannah Aldy and Shelby Johns, who scored 6 and 2 points each.
Saline 44, Weston 21 (boys): Kaston Bamburg and Damani Morgan scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, to lead neighboring Saline to a road victory over Weston. Seven players scored for the Wolves, led by Hank Snuggs with 7 points and Kaine Stassen with 5. Ashton Paggett, Mason Greer, Ritchie Faust, and Parker Hightower each scored two points, and Remi Davis chipped in a free throw.
Monday Games
Quitman 24 Doyline 6 (girls): The Lady Wolverines won their road contest thanks to 11 points from Elliot Savage and 7 points from Savannah Porter. Charlea Jones also chipped in 4 points, and Jaicee Hall added a basket.
Quitman 41 Doyline 37 (boys): In the contest that saw the lead change 11 times over the first three quarters, Quitman took control in the final frame by outscoring home-standing Doyline 9-2 to rally for their 11th victory in 14 games. Aiden Reed and Jaxen Culpepper led the Wolverines with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Jace Reed scored 6, Kyree Boston finished with 4, and both Bentley Ponder and Luke Davis made a basket.