Lady Hawks, Leopards take Gunslinger crowns
NEW BOSTON, Texas—The girls and boys championship rounds of the Gunslinger Tournament lived up to its billing.
Liberty-Eylau edged Paris in the boys division, 55-50, and Pleasant Grove beat Liberty-Eylau in the girls division, 53-42.
BOYS
Liberty-Eylau 55, Paris 50
The Leopards used their fast pace and their defensive prowess to combat the length of the Wildcats.
Liberty-Eylau was able to convert Paris defensive rebounds into points, which gave them the early cushion in the first half.
Isaiah Cross was a surge for the Leopards coming off of the bench. Cross finished the game with 10 points and seven rebounds. Cross also blocked a Wildcat layup at the end of the game, preventing a Paris comeback.
The Leopards swarming defense caused 19 Wildcat turnovers, while only committing 16 during the contest.
R’Aikem Harris finished with 11 points for the Leopards and teammate Kentraile Atkins added 12 points.
L-E was able to secure a majority of the loose balls and was proficient from the charity stripe, which proved to be the difference in the game. The Leopards were 14 of 17 from the free throw line.
Paris went on a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter to slice into the Leopards lead, ultimately coming up short due to the Leopards ability to break their full-court press.
Jaelyn Lee led Paris with 17 points.
Arkansas High defeated New Boston in the consolation bracket, 58-39.
Micah Yarber led the Hogs with 26 points and Jamon Powell led the Lions with 21 points.
GIRLS
Pleasant Grove 53, Liberty-Eylau 42
Pleasant Grove set the tone for the game from the opening tip.
The Hawks converted Lady Leopard turnovers into points, which gave PG the early lead in the first half.
PG led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter.
Eliyah Howard paced L-E offensively in the second period, cutting the Hawk lead to two points before intermission. Howard finished with 14 points for Liberty-Eylau.
The Leopards took their first lead of the night in the third quarter, leading the Hawks,
31-30.
Daycoria Meadows ended her night with 12 points for the Leopards.
The Leopards were able to claw back during the fourth quarter tying the game at 41-all.
Shanequa Henry forged a Pleasant Grove comeback in the fourth quarter down the stretch.
Henry was limited in action the middle periods, due to early foul trouble. Henry finished with a game-high 26 points, with 13 of those coming in the final quarter.
Miaya Ware ended her night with 12 points for the Hawks.
New Boston defeated Arkansas High in the consolation bracket, 56-50.
Grace Duffer and Carleigh Reeves each poured in 14 points apiece for the Lady Lions, while Cedriana Daniels led the Lady Backs with 15 points.