In an exhilarating contest pitting the Haughton Lady Bucs against the Benton Lady Tigers, the Lady Bucs emerged triumphant with a 56-50 victory in the District 1-5A game. The match was characterized by standout performances and intense moments that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
The third quarter witnessed a dramatic turn of events when Haughton sophomores, Bella Hammond and Skylar Branch, made pivotal contributions. After falling behind 26-24, Hammond delivered two impressive 3-pointers, while Branch added nine points in a remarkable 19-1 run. This remarkable surge gave the Lady Bucs a commanding 43-27 lead.
Sustaining their momentum, Haughton extended their lead to 47-30 early in the fourth quarter. Despite this, Benton rallied with a trapping press strategy that narrowed the Lady Bucs’ lead, reducing it to 51-44 with just 1:28 remaining. Nonetheless, Hammond’s composure persevered as she made four consecutive free throws, clinching the victory for Haughton. She concluded the game with a notable 21 points, while Branch contributed 14 and Shaniya Perkins added 13.
With this triumph, Haughton improved to 17-2 overall and 2-0 in the district, placing themselves alongside Airline and defending champion Parkway as the only teams without a district loss. Conversely, Benton’s record now stands at 9-8 and 0-2.
The game also presented challenges for the Lady Tigers, as two players fouled out and standout player Avery Ryan faced foul trouble early on. Nonetheless, Benton managed to remain within striking distance in the first half, including tying the game at 20-20 before the Lady Bucs closed out the half with a 4-point lead.
Reily Washington spearheaded the offensive effort for the Lady Tigers with 11 points, including seven crucial points during the fourth-quarter surge. Chloe Bailey and Taylor Brown each contributed eight points, with Ryan chipping in seven to bolster the team’s efforts.
Looking ahead, Benton is scheduled to compete against Zwolle in the “Doc” Edwards Invitational on Thursday, while Haughton is preparing for their next district match against Byrd on January 3rd.
The basketball showdown between these high school teams undeniably showcased the talent and determination of these young athletes, leaving fans eagerly anticipating their upcoming encounters.