Shared from the 2/14/2016 El Dorado  eEdition

Dragons, Lady Bulldogs claim Jr. High tourney

WOODLAWN – A pair of 7-2A East Junior District Tournament titles were brought to Union County Saturday evening.

The Junction City Dragons capped off their campaign with a 45-34 triumph over the Bearden Bears in the championship game of the tourney.

“I’m extremely proud. Early in the season, we weren’t playing well,” said Junction City Coach Kendall Hutcheson. “This has been one of my funnest groups to coach because of how they began to understand their roles. It’s been fun watching them develop into their roles.”

Meanwhile, in the girls final, Strong cruised to a 38-24 victory over Bearden.

Dating back to the 2014-2015 season, this is the 24th consecutive victory for the Lady Bulldogs.

Strong got off to a quick start against Bearden and never looked back on its way to the tournament title.

“We started the game off with a 10-0 run and it got Bearden frustrated,” said Strong Coach Jason Porter. “In the fourth quarter, we just ran the clock out.”

The Lady Bulldogs (14-0) led 24-9 at the intermission. During the second half, Strong controlled the action with steady defense and a patient offense. Additionally, the Lady Bulldogs placed an emphasis on eating up the clock offensively in the second half.

Strong’s level of play in its finale was a proper conclusion to a special season, according to Porter.

“This group, anytime you do (what they did) it’s special. They had a goal to repeat as district champs,” he said. “We also won the Union County Tournament this season.”

It will be no surprise if Strong’s junior girls are once again solid next season, the coach added.

“This is a young team. We start two seventh graders. They stepped up and bought into what we’re trying to do.”

Strong’s scoring leader was Shanee Story who had 20. Dynasty Davis scored eight and Amaya Smith amassed six.

Christina Porter’s 12 points led the way for Bearden.

In the boys championship game, Junction City overcame a sluggish start to outlast the Bearden Bears.

The Dragons trailed 22-19 at the half. Bearden holding a lead at the intermission was the result mostly of Junction City missing several free throws and easy shots.

But the Dragons performed better in the second half.

The mistakes were reduced and Junction City gained control in the third. Heading into the final quarter, the Dragons led 32-27. During the fourth, Junction City held off Bearden earning a 45-34 win.

“We played solid defense. We attacked the inside on offense,” Hutcheson said. “We pounded the ball inside and attacked the boards.

“Defensively, we cut the lane off and did not give up easy penetration. We also got rebounds.”

Jerrodney Tubbs was the game-high scorer with 26 points for the Dragons. Tyler Cunningham had six points and Charles Hoof finished with five for Junction City.

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