Eagles split tourney games

Published 11:05 am Thursday, November 24, 2016

The W.S. Neal Eagle boys’ varsity basketball team left the Excel Thanksgiving tournament last week with a loss and win versus J.U. Blacksher and Leroy, respectively.

WSN 61, J.U. Blacksher 64

Despite a career high 35-point game by Jacobey Hawthorne, Neal lost in an overtime battle against the J.U. Blacksher 64-61.

Ronnie Knowles | Down South Photography Jacobey Hawthorne drives to the basket against Flomaton earlier this season. Hawthorne averaged 27 points for the tournament.

Ronnie Knowles | Down South Photography
Jacobey Hawthorne drives to the basket against Flomaton earlier this season. Hawthorne averaged 27 points for the tournament.

Hawthorne was 8-of-12 from the free throw line and had two steals. Marvin Maddox had 13 points with nine rebounds and three steals. Maddox was  8-of-10 in free throws. Matthew Thomas had seven points. Rickey Samuel had four points and six rebounds. Kenny Walker had two points and five rebounds. J.T. Gantt had six rebounds.

WSN 68, Leroy 52

Leading the team in the win was Hawthorne with 19 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists. Maddox had 13 points with six rebounds and two assists. DeRon Smith had 13 points. Thomas had 11 points and four rebounds. Walker had six points. Samuel had four points and four rebounds. Gantt led the team with seven rebounds.

After the tournament, Hawthorne and Maddox were named to the all-tournament team.