Jackets pick up big win against Spurger

Jesse Bittick sinks a contested layup in the win against Spurger. BECKI BYRD | TCB

By Becki Byrd

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, the Yellowjacket basketball teams traveled to Burkeville to take on the Mustangs. The girls quickly got ahead of the Lady Mustangs winning the game 35-9. Kyli Handley led with 12 points, five rebounds, three steals. Sydney Brock had 10 points, Blakeney Whitworth eight points, Ty Cochran had four points with six rebounds and Abby Grimes contributed with one point. This concluded district play for the Lady Jackets landing them in 4th place. The Lady Jackets will face the Neches Lady Tigers on Tuesday February 13, in Latexo at 6:30pm for the Bi-District round of playoffs. 

The boys team beat Burkeville earlier in the season at home, but Burkeville used their home field advantage this round beating the Jackets 39-61. Jesse Bittick led with 17 points, Kasen Citrano had 10, Brad Davison ended with 8, Jaxon Gay had a 3 pointer, and Turner Johnson sank 1 free throw. 

On Friday the Yellowjackets hosted the Pirates from Spurger. The JV team started the evening with a loss of 22-54. Braysen Neal had 11 points, Bryson Swanson had 7, Henry David and Jayse Gay ended with two points. The varsity squad was in a must win situation for a playoff spot.

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They came out with that on their mind, outscoring the Pirates 19-9 in the first quarter. This first quarter was crucial because the Pirates fired back in the second quarter scoring 15 to the Jackets’ 7. Going into halftime the Jackets were just two points ahead.

By the end of the third quarter the Jackets and Pirates were tied 32-32. The Jackets ended up scoring just one point ahead of the Pirates winning 43-42. Jesse Bittick had 10 points, PJ Purvis had 8, Jaxon Gay had 7, Hunter Luther ended with 6, Cutter Lowe and Brad Davison each had 5, and Kasen Citrano contributed with 2. This win leaves the Jackets tied with Zavalla for a playoff spot. The Jackets will play Leggett early in the week and will possibly face Zavalla again for a tie-breaker for 4th place in district. 

The Lady Jacket softball team is wasting no time in preseason play. They hosted Lead Academy on Monday and won 12-5. Allie Ogden earned the win, giving up one hit and one run over two innings. Ogden struck out three and walked three. Lily Read led the offense with four runs batted in. Read went two for two on the day. Holly Moore, Allie Ogden, Lily Read, and Lauren Citrano each collected two hits for the Lady Jackets. On Friday they scrimmaged Woodville coming up short 3-10. Lily Payne led with two hits in three at bats. Whitney

Thomason and Hailey Purvis each drew in one run. Friday Feb. 16 the Lady Jackets will make the short trip down 287 to face the Lady Bulldogs in Corrigan at 5 p.m. 

Boys’ baseball picks up this week with their first scrimmage scheduled for Friday Feb. 16, 3 p.m. at Little Centerville.