PLANTERSVILLE — The Dallas County girls are winning games at the perfect time of the season.

The Dallas County Hornets (6-18) used a strong fourth quarter to escape the Ellwood Christian Eagles (0-24) 50-44 Friday at Dallas County. Jaliah Blakes led all scorers with 15 points, 14 of which came in the second half.

“It’s always good to close out the season on a win going into the postseason,” said Dallas County head coach Charles Thompson.

“Hopefully, we can take some momentum with us and win these last two games into the postseason.”

Ellwood fell into a 13-8 hole at the end of the first quarter, and needed a strong offensive effort to stay in the game.

“We just didn’t come out in that first quarter and played like we should’ve played,” said Ellwood head coach James Spears.

Brianna Dower responded by scoring six points in the second quarter to cut the Dallas County lead to 19-17 at halftime.

Ellwood reduced the Dallas County lead to 25-24 with 4:41 remaining in the third quarter, but Jorg’Undra Dower responded with two 3-pointers and a layup to build the Dallas County lead to 33-27.

Monique Jones made a 3-pointer as the clock hit zero in the third quarter to cut the Hornets score to 36-33.

Dallas County opened the fourth quarter on a 7-1 run. Jamerah Smith made a layup at 4:12 to make it 43-36 and put the game away.

Ellwood plays Isabella Monday at Keith at 5 p.m. in the class 1A, area 5 tournament. Dallas County plays Demopolis Monday at Demopolis 7 p.m. in the class 5A, area 6 tournament.

 

Dallas County 57, Ellwood 33 (boys)

The Dallas County senior basketball players tried to hold back tears as they were honored before their game.

The Dallas County Hornets (11-13) ended its season with a dominant performance over the Ellwood Christian Eagles (9-15) 57-33 in both teams’ season finales Friday at Dallas County. From the opening tip, the outcome was never in doubt.

“We got a quick start and it set the tone for the game,” said Dallas County head coach Willie Moore.

Timothy Baker opened up the game with two steals and two layups to put Dallas County ahead 6-0. Midway through the first quarter, Jaydon Buford, who led all scorers with 12 points, knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Hornets a 15-3 lead. Late in the first quarter, Ladarius Furlow muscled his way in for a layup to extend the Dallas County lead to 21-5.

Buford hit three triples in the second quarter to give Dallas County an insurmountable lead. With 4:49 remaining in the second quarter, Buford knocked down a 3-pointer to push the lead to 27-9.

At 1:50 in the second quarter, Buford rattled down a corner three to give the Hornets a 39-13 lead. The score was 43-15 at halftime. Tyre Webster made a 3-pointer with 5:03 left in the third quarter to cut the Dallas County lead to 47-20. Rayford Mitchell blocked two shots to close out the third quarter, but Ellwood still trailed 51-23 at the end of the third quarter.

Rayford Mitchell and Justin Buford each scored nine points for Ellwood.

Ellwood faces Isabella Wednesday at Keith at 6:30 p.m. in the class 1A, area 5 tournamment. Dallas County plays Wilcox Central Tuesday at Sumter Central at 5 p.m. in the class 5A, area 6 tournament.