PLANTERSVILLE — The first time Dallas County and Wilcox Central played this season, the Jaguars were the aggressive team. On that night, Wilcox rallied from an early deficit to beat the Hornets by double figures.

On Tuesday night in Plantersville, Dallas County returned the favor. The Hornets were aggressive from the opening tip, attacking the basket throughout the night to get to the free throw line. Dallas County only trailed once and held off a late charge for an 82-66 victory.

The win was the Hornets’ first area win of the year.

“I thought our team played very well defensively,” said Dallas County head coach Willie Moore. “Probably one of the best efforts we’ve had all year. We’ve been losing games, but we’ve been getting better. Sometimes you don’t equate getting better when you’re not winning games. Our kids played extremely hard tonight so it gave us an opportunity to win the ball game.”

Moore now sits two wins away from 500 victories for his career.

He’ll continue the chase for the milestone against Ellwood Christian Friday night. If the Hornets win that game, Moore will have a chance to hit 500 against Billingsley.

On Tuesday, the Hornets jumped out to an early lead, but trailed 18-17 after the first quarter.

The Hornets broke free at the end of the first half with a 15-4 run. Timothy Baker knocked in a layup to make it 35-28 Dallas County. After Wilcox Joshua Pickett knocked down a 3-pointer, Quincy Parker answered with an old-school 3-point play to put Dallas County back up seven. A layup by Joshua Benford and a three by Jaydon Buford stretched the Hornets’ lead to 45-32 at the break.

“Tonight we got a lead and we started attacking,” Moore said. “The way we played tonight, that’s the way they played to beat us in their gym. We sort of returned the favor tonight.”

Dallas County led by nine or more the entire second half. Wilcox pulled within 52-43 early in the third quarter, but the Hornets responded with a 8-0 run. Kareem Ross and Quincy Parker eached drove to the basket through contact and made layups.

Both missed chances to have a three-point play, but by that time it didn’t matter.

Dallas County led 60-43 after layups by Kachavious Dudley and Kareem Ross.

In the fourth quarter, Wilcox pulled within 72-62, but Dallas County closed on a 10-4 run to put the game away.

Ross put the finishing touches on the dunk with 30 seconds left to play.

Moore said it was a great win, but he’s hoping his team keeps it all in perspective.

“We take it game by game,” Moore said. “We don’t get too high off of a win and we don’t get too low off a loss.”

Benford scored 22 points to lead Dallas County in the game. Quincy Parker and Andre Hall also had 11 points each.

 

Wilcox Central 64, Dallas County 25 (Girls)

Dallas County found itself in an early hole against Wilcox Central and the Hornets never got back on track.

The Hornets fell to the Jaguars 64-25 to remain winless in class 1A, area 5. All eight of Wilcox’s players scored, led by Kierra Smith with 15 and Jamya Miller with 13.

Jamerah Smith, J’Kiera Peterson and Kimmesha Jackson led Dallas County with five points each.