Charleston secures road win at Portageville; Richland upsets Clarkton

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- The Portageville Bulldogs' district foe, Charleston, came to town Friday evening, stealing a victory from the home team.

The Bluejays started with a different set-up on the floor to begin the game, and over the course of 32 minutes, nine players got involved in the 78-65 win.

"It's the end of the season," said Charleston head coach Danny Farmer. "Sometimes you just have to get a win. That was just one of those games where we just wanted to come in here and get a win."

Farmer utilized the bench early and often, as the Bluejays went up 19-12 in the first quarter and led by as many as 16 in the second quarter. But, by the end of the second quarter, Portageville made a run, behind TJ Smith's three first-half 3-pointers to pull within six. At the break, the Bulldogs trailed 40-34.

In the second half, Terrale Jones put together a short charge for the home team as he rattled off eight points alongside teammate Byron Wright's six. However, the effort wasn't enough to stop the quickness

of Charleston's offense, as Fred Pratt and Allen Hemphill combined for 11 of the Bluejays' 21 points in the third, increasing the lead to 61-49 going into the fourth quarter.

In the final quarter of play, Donald Dixon's six points and Antonio Riggens' seven, pushed the Charleston lead far enough from reach. The Bulldogs had no answer down the stretch as the visiting Bluejays took home the victory 78-65.

Richland 80, Clarkton 71
At Essex, the Richland Rebels played host to the state-ranked Clarkton Reindeer on Friday night, the Rebels used a big third quarter to gain the lead and went on to win, 80-71.

Richland was down by one point at halftime, 36-35. But, the Rebels outscored Clarkton 25-14 to take a 10 point lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Rebels had five players who scored in double-digits. Drew Thornton (18), Landon Miller (16), Nick Harris (15), Mac Thornton (11) and Mikey Latham (10).

Dustin Ferguson led the Reindeer with 19 points. Casey Redden scored 17, while Justin Brown finished with 14.

Hayti 85, Risco 54
At Hayti, the Risco Tigers were four points away from taking the lead against the Hayti Indians, on Friday night, but a 34-point fourth quarter by the Indians put the Tigers away, 85-54.

Risco was down by 11 points at halftime, 37-26. At one point in the fourth quarter, the Tigers pulled within four, 51-47. But, Hayti poured it on heavily to pull away for the win.

Kyle White led the Tigers with 19 points and Derek Fowler scored 11 points.

The Indians were led by Antonio Jones who scored 24 points. Jamestic Gooden was right behind Jones with 22 points, while Shawn Jones finished with 15.

The Risco Tigers junior varsity fell to the Indians 54-51.

Zack Williams led the Tigers with 22 and Ross Carter added 21 points.