The Baldwyn Bearcats (15-3) laid claim to their third Prentiss County Championship in a row Saturday night in front of a packed house at the Wheeler gymnasium. The Cats withstood county rival, New Site (12-7), for the 58-42 win. Badwyn has won ten out of the last twelve county titles. The Baldwyn JV team also took home the Prentiss County trophy over New Site, 32-26.
Baldwyn Bearcats team members and coaches pose at the Wheeler gym with the 2016 Prentiss County Championship trophy. (News Photo/Bob Tapp)
In varsity action, Conner McKay went 14-15 from the free-throw line to solidify the victory. McKay, a senior, scored a game high 26 points. Senior Coby Agnew contributed 15, senior Casey Cagle 7, junior Felix Hayes 7 and junior C.J. McGaha 3.
This game was also the last time the Bearcats will face Ashton Johnson of New Site. Johnson, like others such as Kenny Paul Geno before him, faced the Cats several times over the last several years and has gained respect during the rivalry. Johnson will go down as one of the most competitive to face Baldwyn out of the county.
“This man (Johnson) is a competitor. His heart and love for the game can’t be denied.” said Hayes on playing against Johnson over the last three years.
For the JV squad, senior Marco Harris pushed his team to victory scoring 11 points. Also scoring for the JV team was freshman Calvin “Smurf” Harris with 7, sophomore Michael Crump with 6, freshman D’Mondrea Doss with 4, sophomore Dequantrea “Money” Welch with 3 and freshman Josh Hester with 1.
“He is the emotional leader of this team and his defensive intensity is better than anybody in this gym,” Coach Kirk said on having Marco Harris on the team.
The Bearcats raced past Jumpertown (10-9) on Friday in the semi-final game 63-46. Hayes lead the way with 18 points, Agnew with 13, McKay with 11, McGaha with 7, Cagle with 6, junior Armontie Price with 6, and Crump with 2.
Lady Cats nipped by Booneville
The Lady Cats (8-10) split a pair of games in the county tournament. Baldwyn defeated Thrasher (0-11) 69-37 and fell to eventual county Champs Booneville (14-1) 77-52.
Scoring against Thrasher for the Lady Cats were junior LaJayla Turnage with 21, senior Demaya Woodruff with 16, sophomore Paige Huddleston with 16, junior Hannah Bridges with 5, sophomore Kambria Morris with 4, senior Zikeya Robinson with 4, freshman Keeley Wade with 2 and sophomore Brooke Austin with 2.
Scoring for Baldwyn against the Lady Devils were Turnage with 18, Huddleston with 15, Woodruff with 12, junior Kody Hollin with 4, junior Sahara Beene with 2 and sophomore Alexian Starks with 1.
Challenges await
The Bearcats and Lady Cats have a big week coming up as they both will face 2A powers. The Lady Cats will take on Ingomar (19-5) Friday night in a division game. The Lady Falcons are favored to win the 2A title this year. The Lady Cats will travel to Okolona (0-10) on Monday night.
The boys have a hard row to hoe this week as they will face the same teams. A division battle with a very good and tough Ingomar (19-5) team on Friday night and then they will travel to Okolona on Monday. Okolona (15-3) is favored to win 2A and both are ranked in the top 10 in 2A.
Check out the Baldwyn News on Facebook for videos and interviews from the Prentiss County Tournament. You can also keep up with the Cats and Lady Cats on Facebook by liking Baldwyn Bearcat Basketball or Twitter at BaldwynBearcatHoops.
