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Pewitt’s Kei’drick Hawkins drives for a layup during Friday’s game against Queen City. The Brahmas fell to the Bulldogs, 49-46. -
Pewitt’s Shawni Cooper moves up the floor against Queen City. The Lady Brahmas fell to the co-district leaders, 67-51. TRIBUNE PHOTOS / QUINTEN BOYD
The District 14-3A race in girls’ basketball is shaping up to be a close one, if the first round of district play is any indication.
Going into Friday night, Queen City, Hooks and New Boston were all tied for the district lead. Hooks won over Queen City, but lost to Atlanta. Queen City, meanwhile, had a win over New Boston. Atlanta was in fourth with two losses (New Boston and Queen City), but had beaten Hooks. Pewitt was in fifth place, one game out of a playoff spot.
The Lady Brahmas looked to make their case with a win in their matchup Friday against Queen City.
Pewitt looked to pass the test, going into halftime down just one, but Queen City’s height advantage, coupled with a Pewitt injury, helped push the Lady Bulldogs to a 67-51 win.
The Lady Brahmas’ momentum was stilled when Shawni Cooper went down with an injury in the third quarter. Pewitt tried to battle back, but Queen City took advantage in the paint.
Jailyn Smith led all scorers with 27 points. Destiny Henderson added 11, Shawni Cooper put in six, Taliyah Brown scored three and both Dazha Cooper and Mylee Morris both added two.
Serenity Oden and Jamecia Cook both scored 15 for the Lady Bulldogs. Erica Lavoie added 12.
In the boys’ matchup, the 2023 season has been a rough one for the Brahmas. Pewitt went into Friday night’s matchup with two wins – both over Linden- Kildare – hoping to snag their first district win over a Queen City team in a similar predicament. The Bulldogs went into Friday night with four wins on the year and none in district play.
Queen City took a 10-point lead after the first quarter and went into the final frame leading, 41-26, before the Brahmas sparked a furious comeback. With 2:30 left in the game, Pewitt had cut the Bulldog lead to three points. The Brahma defense forced a turnover late, giving themselves a chance to tie the game with 11 seconds left.
Pewitt got two chances at the game-tying shot, but unfortunately couldn’t get either to fall and Queen City escaped with a 49-46 win.
The Brahmas outscored the Bulldogs in the fourth quarter, 20-8.
Ethan Shaddix led Pewitt with 14 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. Miyon Flemming added 12. Junie Johnson put in six, Kye Perry finished with five and Mason Green scored four.
Travonne Horsley led Queen City with 14 points. Clayton Whittenberg added 13 and both Reginald Harrison and Daketrick Smith put in six.
The Pewitt teams traveled to Hooks Tuesday and will play at home against Redwater Friday.