El Dorado splits at Magnolia

MAGNOLIA - El Dorado’s senior varsity girls led from start to finish Tuesday and cruised to a 50-29 road victory at Magnolia. Magnolia won the varsity boys game 61-50.

The Lady Wildcats improved to 7-2 on the season.

El Dorado led 15-12 after one quarter and 23-16 at the half. The margin was 35-22 going into the final quarter.

“Overall, I was very pleased with our effort tonight,” said El Dorado coach Destinee Rogers. “We shot 80 percent from the free throw line and played a much better ball game.”

Jessica Morton and Grace Murry led the Lady Wildcats with 15 and 13 points, respectively. Breya Clark added eight and Amyiah Williams scored seven.

“I was really proud of Amyiah Williams for coming off the bench and giving us a huge spark,” said Rogers. “Grace Murry was the most aggressive she’s been all year. When she plays like that, we are tough to beat.”

Keshuntia Brantley scored seven to lead the Lady Panthers, who fell to 4-3 on the season.

In the boys game, the Wildcats trailed 41-40 going into the final period. The Panthers pulled away at the end of the game for the final margin of victory.

Brenden Johnson led El Dorado with 22 points with Joderrio Ramey contributing 13. Brenden Simmons added nine points as the Wildcats slipped to 3-4 on the season.

Derrian Ford led Magnolia with 24 points. Kadyn Roach chipped in with 14 while Colby Garland scored nine as the Panthers improved to 4-1.

SMACKOVER SPLITS LEAGUE OPENERS

SMACKOVER - Smackover opened conference play Tuesday with a split against Fouke.

The Bucks picked up their first win of the year by downing the Panthers 68-45, but Smackover fell in the girls game 61-36.

The Bucks (1-3, 1-0) got a big night from Jaqueze Modica in their 8-3A opener, as the junior scored 26 points to lead Smackover.

Greg Turner and K.J. King each had nine points for the Bucks in the win.

Kanon Garrett had 17 points for the Panthers.

But while the Bucks were able to get off to a good start in league play, the Lady Bucks were downed with Laykin Smallwood scoring 17 points to lead Fouke.

Jordyn White had 12 points with Brooke Patton adding six points for Smackover (2-8, 0-1).

In the junior girls game, Smackover topped Fouke 22-8.

Laylah Gatson led the Lady Bucks with 14 points and Justice Nelson chipped in with eight points.

Connie Ross had four points for Fouke.

BULLDOGS PICK UP VICTORY

STRONG - Derrion Davis was one of four players in double figures with 23 points, as Strong topped Hermitage 71-63 to pick up a win in 8-1A East play.

Davis added seven rebounds and four steals in the win for the Bulldogs (2-5, 1-2).

Caleb Chambers had 15 points along with four steals and three rebounds for the Bulldogs.

Emauri Newton and Troy Rowland had 13 points each with the latter adding three steals and two rebounds in the win.

DeMarcus Baker grabbed 10 rebounds for Strong.

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