Hayes’ big night steers Bulldogs to victory

■ In a game White Hall desperately needed, Jai’Chaunn Hayes made sure the Bulldogs got it.

The sophomore guard scored a game-high 39 points to lead White Hall (17-12, 8-6 5A-South) to a 67-65 victory over Sheridan on Tuesday at Yellowjacket Arena.

Hayes also had 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals for the Bulldogs, who took a big step toward making a late-season postseason push by knocking off a team that was previously in front of them in the standings.

Sheridan (16-9, 7-6) beat White Hall 74-69 on Jan. 13 and got off to a hot start in the rematch. The Yellowjackets scored 11 of the game’s first 15 points behind Peyton Free. The senior, who finished with 31 points, had seven points during the early run and helped stake Sheridan out to a lead. His free throws with 4:25 left in the second quarter gave the Yellowjackets a 22-20 advantage before Hayes really got going.

His floater started an 8-0 run that put White Hall back ahead and guided it to a 34-32 lead at halftime, but the teams went back and forth after halftime. There were nine lead changes over the first 11 minutes of the second half before a Hayes’ jumper gave the Bulldogs a 6160 cushion with 2:59 left in the fourth quarter.

The Yellowjackets continued to battle and had a chance to either tie or win the game on the final possession. But Justin Crews, who had 20 points, missed a last-second shot.

Keaton Stone added 11 points for White Hall, which now owns a half-game lead over Sheridan for the final playoff spot in the 5A-South with two games left. The Yellowjackets have three games remaining.

In the girls’ game, Brooklyn Rowe scored 20 points to boost Sheridan (14-7, 11-2) to a 64-35 victory. The Lady Jackets scored the first nine points of the game and later closed the second quarter on a 13-5 push to lead 32-20 at the half.

Sheridan led 40-27 after three quarters until opening the fourth quarter on a 11-2 surge. Kayden Porter had 15 points, and Emma Goodman ended with 12 points for Sheridan. Lilly Reid also had nine points in the win.

Blair Weston, Hannah Blue and Kennedi Bowman scored seven points apiece White Hall (9-15, 4-10).