Strong advances at tournament

EMERSON - The first two meetings between Strong and Taylor were decided by eight and six points respectively.

The rubber match wasn’t nearly as close.

Derrion Davis scored 25 points and Emauri Newton added 17 points, as Strong clinched a spot in next week’s regional tournament with a 59-36 win over Taylor Wednesday at the 8-1A District Tournament.

The Bulldogs (7-16), the No. 4 seed, face top-seeded Dermott, who is also ranked second in the state in this week’s Associated Press 1A poll, at 8:30 p.m. tonight in the semifinals.

Davis added seven rebounds and six steals for the Bulldogs, who won for the fourth time in their last six games.

Newton grabbed three rebounds, and Demarcus Baker had 16 boards along with eight points.

LADY BULLDOGS ADVANCE

EMERSON - Dynasty Davis scored 28 points, as Strong clinched a spot in next week’s regional tournament with a 53-50 win over Dermott at the 8-1A District Tournament Wednesday night.

In addition to Davis, Holly Baker was in double figures with 10 points.

The Lady Bulldogs (9-10), who are the No. 5 seed, advance to face Emerson, the No. 1 seed and host for this week’s event, at 7 p.m. tonight in the semifinals.

Emerson swept the two games played by the schools during the regular season.