DeKalb Middle School basketball tipped off on Saturday for the first time since 2020.
Middle school basketball in DeKalb County spent last season in hiatus and returned on Saturday to the pleasure of the coaches, players and fans as 14 games were played across the county.
What better way to open the season than with a boys’ thriller at Bethune as the Miller Grove Wolverines pulled out a 25-23 victory against the Lions.
Jalen Kelly had nine points in the first half for Bethune, seven in the second quarter, to pull the Lions within 12-11 at the half. Briggs hit a big three in the third quarter as Bethune tied the game at 18 heading into the final period.
Kelly had four more points in the fourth quarter and the Lions led 23-20 late in the fourth quarter when Miller Grove’s Roman Sims hit a game-tying three-pointer.
Sims then scored the winning basket sending the Wolverines to the 25-23 win. Sims finished with nine points for Miller Grove and Isaiah Oglesby added six points, 12 rebounds and five blocks.
Kelly finished with a game-high 13 points for Bethune.
Henderson 36, Stone Mountain 32
Zayd Muhammad hit a pair of game-clinching free throws to seal a 36-32 win for Henderson over Stone Mountain on Saturday at Henderson.
Muhammad finished the game with 18 points for the Cougars. Grady Ellerman pulled down 19 rebounds and Pearce Becker grabbed 12 more for the Cougars.
Druid Hills 50, McNair 25
Druid Hills traveled to McNair in boys’ play on Saturday and came away with 50-25 win over the Mustangs.
Stone Richards hit went for 15 points to lead the way while Clayton Humphries came off the bench to score 11 for the Dragons.
Tucker 59, Stephenson 25
Tucker had three players in double figures in a 59-25 home win over the Stephenson Jaguars on Saturday in boys’ play.
Octavius Gresham led the way with 15 points for the Tigers. Jakobi Williams and Donavan Smith chipped in 13 points each for Tucker.
Freedom 71, Sequoyah 14
The Freedom Rams ran away from the Sequoyah Chiefs to a 71-14 win at home on Saturday. The Rams got a big game from King Hernandez who filled the nets for 34 points on the night.
Redan 45, Chapel Hill 33
Redan hosted Chapel Hill on opening night and walked away with a 45-33 victory. Jordan Francis led the way with 12 points and eight rebounds for the Raiders.
Columbia 40, Lithonia 16
Bryson Bigsby hit for a game-high 21 points and Jashawn Thompson added 13 to lead the Columbia Eagles to a 40-16 win over the Lithonia Bulldogs.
GIRLS ROUNDUP
Columbia swept Lithonia as the Lady Eagles opened the night with a 25-20 win over the Lady Bulldogs. Columbia’s Makayla Juhan hit for 13 points in the victory.
Miller Grove 38, Bethune 23
Another sweep last Saturday was started when the Miller Grove Lady Wolverines road the hot hand of Bailee Canty to a 38-23 road win over the Bethune Lady Lions. Canty hit for 26 points while Liyah Croxton contributed 11 in the win.
Chapel Hill 44, Redan 18
Chapel Hill earned a split with Redan as the Lady Panthers won the opener on Saturday 44-18. Kendall Campbell hit for 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the way for Chapel Hill. De’Asia Kelly also hit for 14 points for the Panthers and dished out six assists. Aubri Brooks led Redan with six points.
Stephenson 40, Tucker 11
The Stephenson Lady Jaguars secured a split with Tucker winning the girls’ game 40-11 to open play on Saturday. Kamryn Larkin hit for 16 points and Cyncere Simis-Turner put in 11 points for Stephenson. Sarah Okorowanta was the leading rebounder for Stephenson.
Druid Hills 30, McNair 16
Druid Hills picked up a sweep of McNair on opening night as the Lady Dragons opened the night with a 30-16 win over the Lady Mustangs. Azelia Shell was dominate on both offense and defense for Druid Hills in the win.
Other scores include Freedom 51-12 over Sequoyah and Henderson 34-15 over Stone Mountain.
See link below for middle school basketball standings: