Lions ruin Senior Night at Mayflower

MAYFLOWER The Jessieville Lions used a 13-0 run in the first quarter to hold off a gutsy Mayflower Eagles' team 53-36 Friday night on Mayflower's Senior Night.

Mayflower jumped out to a 5-0 lead on a basket by Jacob Raney and a 3-pointer by Devin Foster.

However, on Jessieville's ensuing possession, Joseph Herrington drained a 3-pointer of his own to start a 13-0 run that endured the last 3:55 of the first quarter.

The run proved to be the major difference in the game, as the competition was close throughout the remainder of the contest.

"I was proud of our effort," Mayflower coach Brent Stallings said.

The Eagles kept within single digits until Jessieville's Jay Phillips cut back door and laid the ball in to give the Lions a 25-14 lead late in the second quarter.

Another 3-pointer by Foster cut the Jessieville's lead to eight points, but the Eagles could not get any closer.

Giving the Eagles trouble was Jessieville's combination of length and ability to shoot the outside shots.

"It's kind of pick your poison," Stallings said.

The Eagles got 13 points from guard Jordan Dycus. Foster and Tyler Cagle, the Eagle's two seniors finished with six and four points, respectively. Foster and Cagle also added two steals and two assists each.

Jessieville was lead in scoring by Phillips with 15 points.

GIRLS

The Lady Eagles stuck with Jessieville for a half, but a strong third quarter allowed the Lady Lions to take a 68-35 victory.

After the first 22 seconds, it didn't seem as if Mayflower would put up any fight. Jessieville scored off the tip-off, and after a Mayflower turnover and another quick basket, the Lady Lions led 4-0.

Mayflower coach David Frizzell called a timeout, and his team settled down. On the Lady Eagle's next possession, Kerri Fortson grabbed an offensive rebound and scored the first two points for Mayflower. Moments later, Fortson tied the game up, and the game was back-and-forth throughout the rest of the first quarter.

Jessieville scored the first six points of the second quarter to take a 19-10 lead. But senior guard Katie Sewell and Fortson shortly cut that lead to 19-14. Later in the quarter, Jessieville increased their lead to 28-20, but a basket by Mayflower's Rachel Barfield made the score 28-22 going into halftime.

Unfortunately, for Mayflower, Jessieville came out with a vengeance in the third quarter. Runs of 9-0 and 10-0 gave the Lady Lions breathing room and a 55-33 lead after the third quarter.

"We played a good half," Frizzell said.

Frizzell added that his team hasn't been able to put two good halves together this season.

"We're not consistent enough," he said. "We're playing better."

Fortson led the Lady Eagles with 15 points. Olivia Gray added 11.

"(Gray) and (Fortson) have to score for us to compete," Frizzell said.

Sarah White led Jessieville with 22 points.