The Hackett Jr High Hornets have been busy little bees (er hornets) this week putting together and hosting the Earl White Classic for Jr High teams from Booneville, Cedarville, Lavaca, Mansfield, County Line, Mulberry, and Trinity. This is always an exciting tournament to attend because it gives area schools a chance to see what the other teams are bringing to the court this basketball season.
Both the Hornets and the Lady Hornets stepped up to take on the Trinity Buffaloes and although each team put in the hard work, both ended up taking a loss. The Hornets walked away with 23 points to Trinity’s 39. Wyatt Hester and Eli Slavens each scored seven points while Jacob Garner netted six and Gabe Hice brought in three.
In the second round of the tournament, each Hackett squad was signed up to face Mulberry. Unfortunately, the Hornets took their second loss in the Classic 34-29. Hester yet again led his team but this time it was with 14 points. Cole Ketchum put up 10 points and Slavens added five. “We are slowly learning the new system,” explained first-year Hornet, Coach Kent Elmore. “We played hard against Trinity, we just could not find open spots in the zone. Mulberry was a tale of two halves. We scored just three first-half points and from there weren’t able to dig out of the hole. Our fourth quarter effort is the basketball team I see in practice. We went on a 19-9 run to get within reach. I expect us to grow from that fourth quarter and continue to find out our strengths.”
The Lady Hornets delivered the entertainment as they kept things interesting in their match with Mulberry. After the dust had settled, Hackett took the win 25-21. Teonna Best delivered 12 points, 10 rebounds, five steals, and three assists as she was unstoppable in action. Kyleigh Hill added seven points, two rebounds, and two steals. Alex Bunch, Lilly Slavens, and Abby McBride each secured two points for their team with Bunch also making four steals, two rebounds, and two assists along with Slavens’ three rebounds. Tori Blanton netted two steals and three rebounds. Makenzie Freeman earned four rebounds and one assist, and Alona Rothwell obtained two rebounds.
The Hornets and the Lady Hornets will be back in the Classic on Saturday, November 23 with the Hornets playing Mansfield at 12:15 and the Lady Hornets playing Lavaca at 1:30.
