Both the Luverne varsity boys and varsity girls came away winners over Lowndes County Schools in the Class 2A Area 6 basketball tournament champioship played Monday night in Luverne.
The Luverne Tigers defeated the Calhoun Tigers in varsity boys action 78-51.
The Luverne Lady Tigers defeated the Central Lady Lions 43-39 in what proved a real cat fight.
Named to the Class 2A Area 6 All Tournament Team in boys action were Preston Sankey, Traquez Watkins, DeAnthony Rutledge and Most Valuable Player Donta’ Hall, all of Luverne, Marcus Mitchell of Central High, Jamarcus Davison and Jakeem Davison of Calhoun High.
Named to the Class 2A Area 6 All Tournament Team in girls action were Nadaja Debose, Most Valuable Plyear Nyjah Thomas, Alexus Redmon and Shakia brantley, all of Luverne, Titeyonnia McGhee and Kendreuna McPherson of Central and Valenciya Allen of Calhoun.
Against Calhoun in boys championship action Monday night, Luverne’s Rutledge had 22 points and 10 rebounds, Sankey had 14 points and nine assists and Hall had 18 points and seven blocks.
For Calhoun, Jamarcus Davison scored 23 ponts.
Against Central in girls championship action, Luverne’s Thomas scored 20 points while Redmon had 13.
For Central McGhee and McPherson had 11 points each.
Calhoun varsity boys head basketball coach Jim Hunter said of Luvernee< "They were just too strong inside for us. We had to rely mostly on our jump shot because in that first half that 6'8" was knocking them out." Luverne varsity head basketball coach Richard Dorsey said, "I just thought we came out and played like a verteran group like we are." He said his team did not want to leave the outcome to the referees but to control their own destiny. He saidhis big junion, Hall, controlled the boards. And he had praise for point guard Preston Sankey. "That was probably one of the more exciting games that I've coached in," said Luverene varsity girls head basketball coach Andre Parks."I thought both teams from the beginning of the ball game to the end of the ballgame fought well and represented their schools well." He said he was just happy for his girls. Central varsity girls head basketball coach Trent Woodley said his team got in foul trouble early and went cold shooting down the stretch. But he said, "It was a good hard fought game." Hunter said following the area tournament championship, the winning team plays at home while the loser travels in state playoff action.