Lucedale — Championship trophies for the inaugural Rudolph Sellers Thanksgiving Invitational Tournament stayed at home with both the boys and girls squads as each George County team captured the titles Tuesday afternoon in Lucedale.
The Lady Rebels held off Poplarville 31-26 while the Rebels pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 58-52 win over East Central.
North Forrest took home both the boys’ and girls’ consolation trophies as the girls knocked off East Central 53-40 and the boys doubled up Poplarville 50-25.
Cambree Cumbest led East Central with 17 points as the Lady Hornets were outscored by North Forrest 31-16 in the second half to keep the Lady Hornets winless on the season. Olivia Tanner and Carly Billingsley were named all-tournament for the Lady Hornets.
Dorrian Travis scored 11 points to lead Poplarville as the Hornets continue to struggle early awaiting football players to return to the roster. North Forrest jumped out to a 29-9 halftime lead and cruised to the win.
In the girl’s title tilt, the Lady Rebels and Poplarville went back and forth as George County led by 1 heading into the fourth quarter. Each team held leads down the stretch but George County hit key free throws in the last few minutes to win by four. DeKari McNair led the Lady Rebels with 10 points while Haley Stringer chipped in with 9 as the Lady Rebels improved to 4-3.
Makayla Jordan, coming off a 19-point effort Monday in the win over North Forrest, joined McNair and Stringer on the All-Tournament team. The Lady Hornets were led by Briahna Burt with 8 points and Janiyah Jones with 6.
In the boys’ final. East Central and George County met for the second time this season as the Rebels looked to avenge an early season loss to the Hornets. East Central scored the game’s first five points but a 9-1 run gave the Rebels an 11-10 lead after one quarter of play.
East Central used a 7-2 run at the end of the second quarter to lead 27-23 going into the half. George County evened things at 38 apiece heading into the final quarter and opened the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run and enjoyed its biggest lead at 53-40 before the Hornets chipped away but got no closer than the 58-52 final.
Marlin Odom led the Rebels with 22 points, including 18 in the deciding 4th quarter. Deuce Knight added 14 points and Jaylon Cowan added 10 as the Rebels improved to 2-5 on the season after picking up their first win of the season Monday 56-54 over North Forrest. Cowan, Knight and Odom were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Cartavious Myers’ 20 points led East Central while AJ Hopkins added 12. Brody Howard joined Hopkins and Myers on the All-Tournament Team. The Hornets fall to 2-3 on the season.
