Courtesy Photo
HOMER – The Minden Crimson Tide and Lady Tiders shook off the holiday rust and made the drive to Homer High School for a pair of games against the Pelicans.
The Tide and Lady Tiders finished on top in both contests and will go into district play with confidence after big wins.
Here’s how things went down between the Tide and Pelicans.
Boys
The Minden Crimson Tide got a confidence boost as they head into January with a 14-point win over the Homer Pelicans, 65-51.
“We started off the game pretty well,” Tide head coach Alan Shaw said. “We came out with a lot of energy and got a lead in the first quarter despite having to sit a couple starters for breaking team rules. The second and third quarter we slacked up a bit. Holiday games are always tough and playing at Homer is always tough, so we knew going in we needed to play well. We battled through it and got a road win.”
Davian Moore and Thomas Brown were the only Tiders in double figures. Moore led the team with 20 points, while Brown scored 16.
Girls
The Minden Lady Tiders got off to a slow start before putting their foot on the gas and cruising past the Homer Lady Pelicans, 48-18.
“We came out and outscored them 12-8 in the first quarter,” Lady Tider head coach Jacob Brown said. “I talked to the girls about really wanting to get out to a fast start. I wasn’t pleased with the defense to start the game, I felt like we could have led by a little bit more, but I thought in the second quarter we were much better.”
Minden outscored Homer 18-3 in the decisive second quarter, ending any hopes that the sluggish first may have given the Pels.
“I thought we began to get more and more into the flow of the game,” Brown said. “We did a good job of attacking their zone defense as well.”
The Lady Tiders outscored Homer 10-3 to take a 40-14 lead into the fourth quarter, and then outscore the Pels 8-4 to bring the final score to 48-18.
“It was good to get this win,” Brown said. “We’re about to return to school and finish off our non-district schedule. We’re focused on being ready to play our best basketball come district.”
Marlena Hill led Minden with 14 and chipped in nine rebounds. Sha’terra Batton added 13 points and five rebounds in supportand Tiaga Pugh added nine points and five rebounds.
With the win, the Lady Tiders finish December with an overall record of 12-5.