Hornets finish up tough week

The Rayville High School Hornets acquitted themselves fairly well, I suppose, in the Don Redden Memorial Classic in that they were grouped in the lower half of the bracket with all the other superpower teams, Clinton Miss., (you don’t come this far unless you know you are strong) superpower 5A Zachery, North Caddo and Wossman whom I predict will win the 3A state championship this year.

The Hornets drew Clinton in the first round  and it didn’t look good as the opponent led 43-38 at half and 60-49 at the end of three.

But lo and behold when Jalon Qualls hit back to back buckets (the second a three) with 4:58 and 3:46 respectively, the Hornets tied it at 62.  They hit four of five free throws in the end to win 74-69.

This matched them with 5A superpower Zachery in the second round who led them 62-50 going into the fourth. Amazingly these never-say-die Hornets pulled within 65-67 before losing 73-75.

This put them in the losers bracket and they had to play Clinton again.  Played them better early on, hitting a few threes to lead 43-38 at the half. 

Not to be though, as Clinton tied it up at 63.  Still the Hornets did not go away and it was still tied at 69 when they hit a three at 1:26 to lead 72-69.  But  would you believe, at 1:26 the Hornets did the same and at 72 each went into overtime.  

That’s when the roof caved  in as Clinton hit back to back  threes and then a two and went on to win 88-83.

Thankfully, the Hornets have a short memory and when district came along they got back in the saddled and deposed  of Delhi Charter 78-61 though the Gators are much more competitive this year and led 21-18 at one point.

No such problem with Mangham as the Hornets won 100-29 and in between those games took care of Bastrop, 91-54.

Ferriday, we played last Tuesday.  Results of that game and Madison on the 16th, next week.