Lovelady boys win district opener

LOVELADY -- The Lovelady Lions started district play on the right foot with a 68-58 win over Slocum last Tuesday.

Sparked by Caleb Gilchrist's five buckets in the first quarter, the Lions grabbed a 16-9 lead.

Slade Murray had the hot hand in the second quarter, canning three baskets and a 3-pointer as the Lions outscored the Mustangs 22-17 to open up a 38-26 halftime lead.

Outscoring the Mustangs by two in the third quarter, the Lions carried a 59-45 lead into the fourth. Keivon Skinner heated up in the third quarter and pumped in nine points, including a trey. Murray tossed in seven while Jayton Crawford drained a 3-pointer and Gilchrist chipped in two.

Slocum outscored the Lions 13-9 in the final period but it wasn't enough.

Murray, who scored 16 in the middle quarters, finished with a team-high 18. 

After scoring 10 in the first quarter, Gilchrist went on to book 16 and Skinner rounded out double figures with 13.

Crawford scored 7 along with Cole Harris, who was 5 of 6 at the charity stripe.

Peyton Harrison scored 3, while Shaun Easterling and Skylar Pipkin both had 2.

The Lions made 13 of 22 at the line for 59% while the Mustangs hit 12 of 18 for 67%.

Slocum's scoring was led by Jose Molina with 20 points. He was a perfect 8 of 8 at the charity stripe.

After this week's Houston County Classic, the Lions continue district play at Leon on Tuesday, Jan. 4 and host Centerville on Jan. 7.