The Rivercrest Rebels and Lady Rebels hoped to solidify their playoff positioning and, in the case of the Rebels, clinch a district title as the basketball season winds to its conclusion.
The teams traveled to Maud last Tuesday. The Lady Rebels held off the Lady Cardinals, 33-28.
Selena Kelley led Rivercrest with 12 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Anna Duvall added eight points and six rebounds and three steals. Logan Huddleston notched three points, seven rebounds and three assists. Lauren Hardman pulled down four rebounds and both Anna Guest and Abby Ross notched two steals.
The Rebels suffered their first district loss of the season when the Cardinals shocked the Rebels, 60-57.
The Rebels battled back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter and got an open look at the possible game-tying shot, but it rimmed out, clinching the win for Maud.
Darrion Ricks led Rivercrest with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Kamryn English added 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Zane Dees added six points and three assists.
The teams traveled to McLeod – a historically tough place to play – with positioning still on the line.
The Lady Rebels and Lady Longhorns played a tight game, but it was McLeod that came out on top, 32-22, to finish as district champions.
Kelley finished with eight points, three rebounds and two steals. Hardman finished with five points and 11 rebounds. Duvall birched four points, six rebounds and four steals. Case pulled down five rebounds and Huddleston added three rebounds and four assists.
The loss means that Rivercrest and Detroit finished tied for second place in the district, necessitating a district playoff game that took place Friday at Paris Trinity Christian. The teams split their season series, with Detroit winning at home, 47-44, and Rivercrest winning the rematch, 43-32.
The winner of the game will finish second, but both teams will have to wait on their playoff opponent; Quinlan Boles and Cumby finished tied for second place in their own district and will play to break the tie Friday night in Cumby.
The Rebels traveled to McLeod – a place they had not won since 2006 – with a simple goal: win the game and win the district title.
The Rebels broke through and won their first outright district championship since 2007 with a 55-47 win over the Longhorns. The last time the Rebels won a district title, current assistant coach Destry Nolan played on the team.
Ricks led the Rebels with 24 points and nine rebounds. Kirk Killian finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds. English added nine points and Tre Williams finished with seven points and six rebounds.
Rivercrest played their final regular season game against Clarksville Friday. The Rebels will likely meet either Alba-Golden, Quinlan Boles or Como-Pickton in the bi-district round.