By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
JUNCTION CITY - Sharnes McGhee scored 26 points Tuesday to lead Smackover’s varsity girls past Junction City 56-50 in overtime. The Lady Dragons converted on just 14-of-39 at the free throw line in the loss.
McGhee drove to the basket and scored to tie the game at 50-50 with 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Lady Dragons held for the final shot but turned the ball over with 3.1 remaining. Smackover couldn’t get off a shot, sending the game into overtime.
Makayla Toney hit two free throws for the Lady Bucks to open the overtime. Moments later, Jordyn White cashed in an offensive rebound to put Smackover on top 47-43 with 3:21 left to play.
Jada Archie hit a free throw for Junction City but McGhee’s driving bucket extended Smackover’s advantage to 49-44.
Keyanna Ross hit 1-of-2 at the line for the Lady Dragons before Toney hit a jumper in the lane for the Lady Bucks to extend the lead to 51-45 with 1:52 remaining.
After Bryanna Raye hit two at the line for Junction City, Smackover went into clock-killing mode. Finally, McGhee broke loose for a lay-up with 33 seconds remaining. Jhonda Webster scored for the Lady Dragons but McGhee hit 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
The Lady Bucks made 5-of-6 free throws in the overtime and 6-of-9 from the line in the fourth.
The Lady Dragons shot 9-of-28 from the line in the second half.
Camree Jones scored 12 points with 10 rebounds and four steals for Smackover before fouling out.
Toney scored six points with five rebounds and three steals. Kaitlyn Goodwin had two steals and two assists.
Archie scored 15 points with seven rebounds for the Lady Dragons.
Taykeetria Rogers scored nine with five boards and Ross recorded six points with six rebounds.
Junction City led 13-7 after one quarter and was up 19-15 before Smackover went on a 5-0 spurt.
Precious Dorman fed Laynie Clark for a lay-up, which cut the deficit to 19-18 at the half.
McGhee spun in the lane for a hoop to open the third quarter scoring.
The Lady Bucks led 27-21 until Junction City closed third with a flurry. Archie hit back-to-back buckets to close the gap to 31-30 going into the fourth.
The Lady Dragons built a 40-35 cushion midway in the final period and was up 42-37 with three minutes remaining.
But, McGhee hit two at the line before Goodwin fed White for a bucket, cutting the margin to 42-41 with 1:14 left on the clock.
Archie hit a free throw before McGhee sent the game into overtime.
BOYS
JUNCTION CITY 56,
SMACKOVER 49
Jerrodney Tubbs scored 13 of Junction City’s final 17 points as the Dragons bulled past Smackover in conference action on Tuesday.
The Buckaroos scored the first 10 points of the game behind early 3-pointers by Bryce Lockhart and Corbin Lee. Smackover led 16-11 after one quarter before Junction City cut the deficit to 28-25 at the half.
Smackover led by five before the Dragons took their first lead of the game with a 6-0 spurt in the third. Hishmma Taylor hit two free throws before Jalen Davis hit successive buckets in the paint.
Lockhart answered with a 3-pointer for the Bucks.
But, Junction City unlocked the paint for Tubbs, who would score 17 of his 19 points in the final 10 minutes.
Junction City led 39-37 going into the fourth. Peyton Jones, of Smackover, tied the game with a break-away lay-up. Then, Tubbs scored back-to-back buckets in tight. Lockhart scored for the Bucks but Tubbs scored twice from close range, opening up a 47-41 lead with 3:57 remaining.
Davis finished with 10 points for Junction City while Terrell Gibson, Shuvasceiaye Frazier and Taylor tallied seven points apiece.
Jones and Lockhart led Smackover with 13 and 12, respectively.