Marked Tree takes home Gerald Jennings junior high title

Marked Tree outscored Riverside 28-8 in the third quarter of Saturday night's junior high final of the 2009 Gerald Jennings Holiday Tournament and coasted to a 62-38 victory at Caraway.

The Indians held a slim 29-25 lead after Riverside's Braden Peaster knocked down a 10-foot jumper with 4:04 left in the third period. But back to back treys by Marked Tree's Juan Davy and Zach Brand ignited the Indians to a 24-0 run, and the Rebels never recovered.

"It was one of those nights where we couldn't do anything right and Marked Tree didn't do much wrong," said Riverside Coach Buster Campbell. "It was a tight game until the third quarter and Marked Tree hit those three pointers, plus we couldn't stop number 34 (Allen Buchanna). He is an excellent player. They beat us down the floor and we kind of fell apart. I was proud of the kids though. They played really well throughout the week. This is a very tough tournament."

Buchanna fired in a game high 26 points, mostly from power moves in the paint, to lead the Indian attack. Brand finished with 15 points, all from beyond the three point arc, while Darius Ivy scored 10.

Logan Meurer paced the Rebels with 14 points while Peaster added eight. Dylan Wright scored seven, Ben Hensley tallied three while Alteeno Sain, Jake Spencer and Caleb Waugh added two points apiece.

Marked Tree led 14-11 after the first period and held a 25-19 halftime advantage.

Riverside reached the finals by defeating Armorel 52-21 in the first round before knocking off Valley View 54-40 in the semifinals.

Logan Meurer and Alteeno Sain pitched in 14 points apiece in the Rebel's win over Armorel.

Braden Peaster scored 20 points while Meurer and Sain added 17 and 13 points respectively to lead the Rebels past the Blazers. Ben Hensley added three points while Zach Reece pitched in one. Kyle Norris led Valley View with 12 points.

Riverside will return to action Tuesday night when they travel to Marmaduke to take on the Greyhounds in 2A-3 conference play. The Rebels will close the week with another conference tilt, hosting Marked Tree Friday night at Caraway.