The battle for county supremacy started Tuesday at Morrison Elementary. The 5-6 grade preseason tournament began with four games, and champions won't be crowned until next Friday, Dec. 8.
The Bobby Ray Lady Stars began the night of action with a 20-4 victory over the Hickory Creek Lady Hawks. Sadie Duggin helped the Lady Stars prevail with a game-high 10 points, six coming in the first quarter to help her squad lead wire-to-wire.
Alexis Verdel added 6 points for Bobby Ray, all coming in the second quarter. Kierra Crichlow and Valerie Esparza had 2 points each.
Emma Cooper had 3 points for the Lady Hawks, who were held scoreless in the first half. Maggy Whiles added a free throw in the fourth quarter.
The victory moves Bobby Ray into a matchup with Eastside, last year's league winner, on Monday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.
In game two, Nathan Turner's 16 points helped Boyd best Irving College 29-15. Turner, who also competes for the Broncos in the 7-8 grade league, caught fire in the second quarter, scoring 10 points to push his team ahead 18-6 by halftime.
Gage Harris added 7 in the Boyd victory, while Conner Andrews chipped in 4. Jordan Perry scored 2 for Boyd, which will be back in action Dec. 4 at 8:15 p.m. against Dibrell.
The Tigers were led by Hayden Hardy's 6 points, followed by Tilman Martin with 4, Jaxson Rhea with 3 and Trace Taylor with 2.
The talented duo of Bella Stiles and Ava Jones led the Lady Broncos to a big win over West Elementary in the third game. Boyd won 31-6, getting 15 points from Stiles and 14 more from Jones.
Kaydence Smith got in on the scoring for the Lady Broncos with a basket in the fourth quarter. Boyd's victory sets up a matchup between the Lady Broncos and WCMS Lady Pioneers Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.
Elly Bain led the Lady Wizards with 4 points, while Autumn Knowles and Emily Balderas each hit one free throw each.
In Tuesday's nightcap, Hickory Creek got a balanced scoring night to top the West Wizards 35-2.
The Hawks jumped out to a 19-0 lead in the first quarter. Andrew Key led the charge, scoring a game-high 8 points in the period. Carter Simpson scored both of his baskets for the Hawks in the second quarter, when Hickory Creek pushed its lead to 27-0.
Jaytton Baker put the Wizards on the board in the third quarter, though West never cut into the Hawk lead.
Brody Womack and Brooks Dunlap aided the Hawks' cause with 6 points apiece. Dyson Elam added 5 - all coming in the first quarter. Ayden Odineal, Maverick Smith and JP Toney all scored 2 points each.