They are officially the Region 3-4A champions and have opened the State 4A basketball playoffs with yet another victory.
Now 28-3 on the season, the Gentry High Rams began their trek through the playoffs with Monday night’s 87-45 thrashing of visiting Itawamba AHS of Fulton.
With that sixth consecutive victory now in the books, the Rams will welcome Senatobia High School to the Gentry High gym this Saturday for a 7 p.m. second round contest against the Warriors.
Bringing a 21-8 record into this game, Senatobia High entered the playoffs as the Region 3, No. 3 seed.
The winner of this Saturday’s match-up will then move on to the quarterfinals to be played next Thursday, March 1 in the Coliseum in Jackson.
In their victory over the Indians from Itawamba AHS, the Rams exploded to a 27-6 first period lead and then progressed on toward a 42-point victory.
While David Winfield led all scorers with his 21 point game, Joshujuan Townsend completed his night’s play with an 18-point performance.
Meanwhile, last week the Rams claimed their Region 3-4A championship with a pair of tournament decisions which culminated with last Friday’s 73-58 title game win over Tunica Rosa Fort High School.
Never trailing in the game, the Rams built a strong 41-31 halftime lead and continued to expand their lead in the second half.
The Rams benefited from five players reaching double digit scoring in this contest and were led by the 13 point efforts generated by Robert Bell, Reginald Bolden, Darrius Clark, and Townsend.
Also adding 10 points to the Gentry High scoring was Cartisco Brown.
Last Wednesday the Rams opened their regional tournament with a 53-45 victory over Clarksdale High School.
Outscoring the Wildcats in all but the third frame, the Rams earned their initial postseason win.
Brown led all scorers in this game with his strong 18 point outing.
Lady Rams to host Leake
After claiming the Region 3-4 Tournament championship last week, the Gentry High Lady Rams keep rolling along as they began the State 4A basketball playoffs Monday night with another victory.
Now owning a 21-10 record following their 53-26 victory over visiting Itawamba AHS of Fulton, the Lady Rams will now play the host once again this Friday night against Leake Central High School of Carthage. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.
Should the Lady Rams defeat Leake Central this week, they will move on to the quarterfinal round to be played Thursday, March 1 at Jackson State University.
Against Itawamba AHS, the Lady Rams limited the Itawamba squad to single digit scoring through three periods of the game and went to the dressing room at halftime owning a commanding 32-7 lead.
Helping to accumulate points to earn their 27-point victory, the Lady Rams’ scoring effort was led by Shacori Dawson’s 19-point performance.
Reaching double double status once again was Mercedes Hayes, who tallied 14 points and 13 rebounds in the contest.
Also reaching double figure scoring was Khanijah White, who finished her night’s play with 10 points scored.
In last week’s Region 3-4A Tournament hosted by Gentry High, the Lady Rams clinched the crown with last Friday’s 49-35 victory over Clarksdale High School.
Using an 18-3 second quarter scoring run, the Lady Rams would ultimately earn their 14-point victory.
Leading the scoring for Gentry High in this game was Hayes, who matched her 15 points scored with 15 rebounds.
Reaching double digit scoring as well in this game were Dawson with 13 points and White with 10 points. Also adding 11 rebounds to the Lady Rams’ efforts was Jaidra Green.
In their tournament opening game, the Lady Rams claimed a 45-30 decision over Greenwood High School.
Leading the scoring for Gentry High was Quortni Cooperwood with 18 points while Dawson added her 15 point night of play.
Also reaching double figures in the rebounding category was Hayes, who added nine points to her dozen rebounds accumulated.
