LUCEDALE—The George County basketball teams took different paths to victory but both teams stayed hot in defeating East Central at Rudolph Sellers Gym on Friday night.
The Lady Rebels got a pair of free throws from DeKari McNair with 20 seconds remaining to give them a hard-fought 38-36 win while the Rebels led 33-13 at the half and cruised to a 59-45 victory.
The Lady Rebels have now won four in a row to improve to 6-3 while the boys picked up their third win in the last four games to improve to 3-6.
The Lady Hornets led 10-8 after the first quarter as Carly Billingsley poured in eight of her 10 points on the night.
George County scored 18 points in the second quarter to lead 26-19 at the half. Hailey Stringer, who led the Lady Rebels with 11 points, scored six in the quarter.
East Central cut the deficit to five entering the final quarter, setting the stage for McNair’s clutch free throws.
Madison Knight hit all six of her free throws in the final quarter to key the Lady Hornets’ comeback. Knight finished with nine points.
The score was tied at 36 when McNair went to the line and the junior calmly sank both free throws for the margin of victory.
East Central fell to 1-6 with the tough loss.
The boy contest had much less drama as the Rebels outscored the Hornets 21-10 in the first quarter.
Brenn Moody, Deuce Knight and Marlin Odom did the damage for the Rebels and each ended the night in double figures.
Moody scored all 10 of his points in the first half.
Knight led the Rebels with 16 points while Odom chipped in with 13. The three players combined for 24 rebounds and 11 assists.
East Central’s Cartavious Myers had 10 of his team-leading 16 points in the third quarter as the Hornets outscored the Rebels 32-26 in the
second half.
Brody Howard added 10 points for the Hornets (2-5).
George County returns to action on Tuesday at Stone High while East Central will host Richton on Thursday.
