Full slate of games marked opening day of 2A-3 District Tournament at Caraway

Number one seeded Buffalo Island Central rolled to a 39-7 romp over eighth seeded Cross County in the opening round of the 2A-3 District Tournament Saturday morning at Caraway in junior girls basketball action. The junior district was slated to begin last week at Rector, but was rescheduled due to the ice storm, causing both junior and senior tourneys to be played simultaneously this week at Caraway.

The Lady Mustangs put nine players in the scoring column, led by Brittany Fowler's 10 point performance to upend the Lady Thunderbirds. BIC bolted to a 10-0 first period lead and raced to a 25-2 halftime advantage. The Lady Mustangs built a 36-5 lead after three quarters. Katelyn Sparkman scored seven points, Cassidy Qualls tallied five while Demi Hargrove pitched in four points. BIC got three points apiece from Amber Rolland, Emily Owens and Brittany Stockton, while Rachel Goldammer and Shania Junyor added two points apiece.

The Lady Mustangs advance to Tuesday's semi-finals against fourth seeded Marked Tree, who defeated host Riverside 39-27 Saturday afternoon.

Marked Tree got 15 points from Alytrius Perry while Quandedra Perry added 11 more in the Lady Indian's victory over Riverside. The Lady Indians led 7-3 after the first period and increased their margin to 21-7 at the half. Marked Tree took a 31-17 advantage into the fourth quarter.

Lauren Weaver led Riverside with 14 points. Emilee Manues tallied six points, Anna Brickell scored five while Kenzley Wilson pitched in two more to round out the Lady Rebel scoring attack.

In junior boys action, BIC held off Marked Tree 55-50 to advance to Wednesday afternoon's semi-finals against top seeded Turrell, a first round winner over Cross County. Host Riverside bowed out of the tournament when Marmaduke's Morgan Hawley threw in a three pointer with two seconds remaining to stun the Rebels, 40-39.

Mark Stone and Daniel Davis pumped in 12 points apiece in the Mustang's victory over Marked Tree. James Tate also hit double digits scoring 10 points. Blake Carr tallied nine, Josh McCormick added eight while Wes Colbert pitched in four points to round out the Mustang scoring attack.

BIC led 15-8 after the first period and took a 24-19 lead into the dressing room at the half. The Mustangs headed into the fourth quarter leading 38-29 before having their lead cut to as little as three points late in the game.

Thadious Moore led Marked Tree with a game high 14 points while Darius Ivy and Allen Buchana added 13 and 10 points respectively.

Riverside streaked to an 11-4 lead in the opening quarter of their Saturday afternoon first round game against Marmaduke, but watched the Greyhounds battle back to take a 17-16 edge at the half. The Greyhounds held a 28-27 lead after three quarters.

The two teams battled back and fourth throughout the final frame, and when Morgan Fletcher hit a floater in the lane with nine seconds to go, putting the Rebels up 39-38, it appeared Riverside had secured the win. But Hawley had different ideas, as the freshman drove the length of the floor and hit a running jumper from the top of the key at the two second mark, ending the Rebel's season.

Fletcher led Riverside with 17 points while Cole Winford added 13 more. Logan Meurer scored five points while Cody Williams and Mitchell Staggs pitched in two points apiece.

In senior high action, BIC pounded Cross County 53-28 and advanced to Monday night's matchup with fourth seeded Rector, who received a first round bye.

Jenna Pike led BIC with 12 points while Jordan Miller added 10 more. The Lady Mustangs got five points apiece from Corie Flannigan, Kalee James and Jenny Walker. Flannigan and Walker also snared eight rebounds apiece. Taylor Owens tallied four points and snatched seven boards while Holly Dempsey and Whitlee Rolland added three points each. Shelby Qualls, Ashley Jines and Jamie Harris netted two points apiece with Harris grabbing seven rebounds.

Courtney Lindsey led Cross County with 13 points. BIC led 24-10 after one period and extended their advantage to 39-15 at the half. The Lady Mustangs shut out Cross County 10-0 in the third period to take a 49-15 lead into the final frame.