Local Schools begin play in regional tournament.
HAMPTON - After a one-year absence, Strong is headed back to the state tournament.
Derrion Davis scored 33 points and Trey Smith added a double-double, as Strong knocked off Trinity Christian 74-58 in the opening round of the 5-1A Regional Tournament on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs (14-13), who are the 8-1A East's No. 1 seed, got out of the gates quickly, taking a 24-13 lead at the end of the first quarter before extending their lead to 44-26 at intermission.
The Bulldogs led 62-38 after three periods before winning by the final margin.
But it was the start that propelled the Bulldogs to victory.
"They played the first half really well," said Strong coach Greg Anthony. "I thought there was a little drop off, but we picked it back up. We fought through that lull."
At the beginning of the game, Anthony wasn't sure if he would have Davis' services due to being under the weather.
"Derrion was battling sickness, so I didn't know what I was going to get, but he showed a lot of guts," Anthony said.
Smith had 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Bulldogs.
Jadarrius Dixon was also in double figures with 11 points for Strong.
The win is the fifth straight for the Bulldogs, who won a pair of nail-biters in overtime last week to win the 8-1A East District Tournament.
Strong made sure there was little drama in ending the Warriors' season.
Trinity Christian, the 7-1A East's No. 4 seed, finishes the season at 15-15.
"I'm really happy with where we're at," Anthony said. "It's been three really good weeks, and I think it's something we can build on. It's really fun to watch. I'm excited."
Strong will face the winner of today's clash between Woodlawn and Bradley at 5:30 p.m. Friday
in the semifinals. Should Woodlawn prevail, Friday's contest would be the fourth this season between the rivals.
PARKERS CHAPEL 57, FOREMAN 55
POYEN - After seeing their season come to an end at the hands of the Gators last year, the Trojans turned the tables and clinched a spot in the state tournament with a first-round win at the 2A South Regional Tournament.
Dawson Goodwin, whose buzzer-beater topped Bearden in the finals of the 7-2A East District Tournament last week, delivered another game-winner, this time in the form of two free throws with 1.8 seconds left in regulation to put the Trojans ahead to stay.
A senior, Goodwin had 18 points to lead a balanced attack.
"We didn't play our best game, but we found a way to win, and that's what good teams do," said Parkers Chapel coach Josh Langley. "Sometimes you've got to dig deep and find a way, and the boys did just that."
The Trojans (26-3), who are the 7-2A East's No. 1 seed, won their 15th straight game.
Foreman (13-10), the 7-2A West's No. 4 seed, saw their season come to an end.
Parkers Chapel trailed 15-13 after the opening period before rallying to take a 33-28 lead at intermission. The Gators sliced the Trojans' lead to 37-35 at the end of the third quarter.
Josh Osborn had 17 points and Nate Garrett-Evans chipped in with 15 points for the Trojans, who will face the winner of today's showdown between Blevins and Harmony Grove.
Osborn played a vital role in the first half for the Trojans.
"He carried us through the first half with all of his 17 points," Langley said. "They took him away from us more in the second half, which opened things up more for Goodwin."
Amari Bell grabbed 12 rebounds for Parkers Chapel, and Langley was pleased with the performances of his bench.
"Canon Morgan and Terrell Malone played really well for us off the bench tonight," Langley said. "Now that the nerves are gone, I expect us to play much better."
CENTERPOINT 51, SMACKOVER 46
FORDYCE - Smackover's bid for an upset of top-seeded Centerpoint at the 4-3A Regional Tournament fell just short, as the Knights (19-11) rallied in the final stanza to survive and nail down a spot in next week's state tournament.
Peyton Jones was one of three players in double figures with 12 points for the Bucks (6-19), who led 40-36 after three periods of play before the Knights rallied.
Bryce Lockhart had 11 points and Damarous White finished with 10 points for the Bucks, who were the 8-3A's No. 4 seed.
Harrison Sutton had a gamehigh 30 points for the Knights, while Owen Bright chipped in with 12 points.
Despite the setback, Smackover coach Reggie Turner was pleased with his team's effort.
"I thought the guys played well," Turner said. "I think we got a little tired at the end and made some mental mistakes. I'm disappointed in the loss, but proud of the effort."