The DeKalb Middle School Basketball League returned to action last Saturday following the holiday break with a slate of non-region games to kickoff the run towards the playoffs.

BOYS RECAPS
Henderson 57, Columbia 6
The Henderson Cougars (5-4) have put together a three-game win streak to solidify fourth place in the Region 2 standings following a 57-6 win over the Columbia Eagles (0-9). Joshua Mosley hit for 21 points to lead all scorers and Julian Russell added a 10-pointer, 10 rebound double-double for the Cougars.

Tucker 51, Bethune 31
The Tucker Tigers (8-1) opened the second part of the season by knocking off the Bethune Lions (2-7) 51-31 to keep pace atop the Region 2 standings alongside the Champion Chargers. Sterling Pritchett hit for a game-high 22 points to lead the way while Vance Wilder followed closely with 18 in the contest.

Stephenson 58, Chamblee 38
The Stephenson Jaguars improved to 6-3 on the season with a 58-38 win over the Chamblee Bulldogs (3-6) in their non-region tilt. The Jaguars had three players in double figures including Lamario Dorsey with 18, Terry Coleman 17 and Kenneth Peek with 13.

Druid Hills 53, Lithonia 24
The Druid Hills Dragons upped their record to 8-1 on the season with a 53-24 non-region win over the Lithonia Bulldogs (4-5). Phillip Claybrooks and Clay Humphries led the way with 13 points each and Cannon Fuller chipped in 10. Lithonia got 8 points from Anthony Flournoy and 6 points from Jordan Washington in the loss.

Redan 61, Cedar Grove 30
The boys’ defending county champions Redan Raiders improved to 8-1 on the year by knocking off the Cedar Grove Saints (6-3) 61-30 on Saturday. Amare Medhin hit for a game-high 24 points (22 in the first half) to go with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. Ke’Shawn Briggs hit for 13 points (4 assists, 3 steals) while Zafar Roberson 8 points (8 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Zaheim Silva 6 points (10 rebounds, 2 steals) contributed to the victory. Tayson Blunt led the Saints with 8 points and Brenden Flounory added 6.

Salem 47, Freedom 32
The Salem Lions (1-8) notched their first win of the season by knocking off the Freedom Rams (2-7) 47-32. William Burkes was the leading scorer in the game with 18 points and Dylan Jackson joined him in double figures with 13 for the Lions. The Ram got 9 points and 4 rebounds from Steven Price and Marquez Roundtree added 5 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks.

Miller Grove 32, Beacon Hill 29
The Beacon Hill Bulldogs (3-6) dropped a nail-biter at home 32-29 to the Miller Grove Wolverines (5-4). Matthew Norman led the way for Beacon Hill with 16 points and Kellen Yeager hit for 6 fourth-quarter points to keep the Bulldogs in striking distance.

McNair 42, Peachtree 32
The McNair Mustangs climbed over .500 on the season at 5-4 with a 42-32 win over the Peachtree Patriots (3-6).

Chapel Hill 54, Sequoyah 2
The Chapel Hill Panthers (9-0) kept their perfect mark on the season intact with a 54-2 over the Sequoyah Braves (0-9). The entire Panthers team scored in the game led by Casir Malone with 12 points (2 steals), Jacob Reid 10 points (5 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Kei-Sean Roberts 7 points (8 assists, 3 steals).

Champion 53, Stone Mountain 44
The Champion Chargers upped their record to 8-1 on the season with a hard-fought 53-44 win over the Stone Mountain Pirates (4-5). DeKota Freeman led all scorers with 14 points for Champion.

GIRLS RECAPS
Stephenson 49, Chamblee 11
The Stephenson Lady Jaguars (8-1) won their third consecutive game since a loss to Chapel Hill to have a slight edge for second place in Region 1 following a 49-11 win over the Chamblee Lady Bulldogs (3-6). Cyncere Sims-Turner had a game-high 17 points and teammate Jayla Walton was right behind with 16 to lead Stephenson.

Druid Hills 41, Lithonia 29
The Druid Hills Lady Dragons bounced back from a loss to Stephenson right before the holiday break with a 41-29 win over Region 2’s Lithonia Lady Bulldogs (3-6). Azelia Shell was not to be stopped as she tallied 27 points for Druid Hills in the win. Mianna Harris and Jakiyah Jackson had 11 points each for Lithonia.

Columbia 47, Henderson 7
The Columbia Lady Eagles climbed above .500 on the season at 5-4 via a 47-7 win over the Henderson Lady Cougars (0-9). Angel Rice led the Lady Eagles with a game-high 20 points while teammates Tamicah Pate and Maliyah Elliot hit for 10 points each.

Peachtree 40, McNair 38
The Peachtree Lady Patriots (2-7) picked up their second win of the season by slipping past the McNair Lady Mustangs (3-6) 40-38 on Saturday. Kai Gyles knocked down 14 points and Jada Barnes added 8 points for the winners.

Cedar Grove 39, Redan 11
The Cedar Grove Lady Saints (8-1) are on a five-game win streak after putting away the Redan Lady Raiders (2-7) 39-11 on Saturday. Melania Davis led Cedar Grove with 12 points (7 steals) while Conner Hall had 8 points (8 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks) and Jessica Morton added 6 points (12 rebounds.

Tucker 34, Bethune 30
The Tucker Lady Tigers (4-5) inched closer to the .500 level with a tough 34-30 win over the Bethune Lady Lions (5-4) on Saturday. Amunique Blyden keyed the Tucker win with 11 points and Cece Edwards played tough defense picking up 6 steals in the game. Mahlet Alemu and Mi’yonah Smith also contributed big plays for Tucker.

Champion 61 Stone Mountain 2
The Champion Lady Chargers (9-0) remain one of two undefeated girls’ squads following a 61-2 win over the Stone Mountain Lady Pirates (0-9). Three players hit 10 points for Champion including Rakiah Miller (6 rebounds, 5 assists), Jalaina Alford (7 rebounds) and Lailah Cox while Kamaya Rivers added 9 points (6 steals).

Salem 42, Freedom 18
The Salem Lady Lions (7-2) snapped the Freedom Lady Rams (6-3) five-game win streak with a 42-18 win on Saturday. Faith Andrews led Salem with 13 points while Dede Spaulding added 8 and Chloe Pace chipped in 7 more.

Beacon Hill 30, Miller Grove 6
The Beacon Hill Lady Bulldogs (6-3) picked up a home non-region victory with a 30-6 win over the Miller Grove Lady Wolverines (1-8). Zola Vander Els was the top scorer with 10 points for Beacon Hill and Shania Lee contributed 8.

Chapel Hill 72, Sequoyah 1
The Chapel Hill Lady Panthers (9-0) remained undefeated on the season with a 72-1 win over the Sequoyah Lady Braves (2-7). Mauri Barnes put together a triple-double of 18 points, 10 assists and 10 steals to lead Chapel Hill. Avantey Gilreath added a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double and Janise McCoy contributed 14 points and 8 assist for Chapel Hill.

DCSD MS BASKETBALL RESULTS
BOYS SCORES
Sat., 1/6/24
Champion 53, Stone Mountain 44
Chapel Hill 54, Sequoyah 2
Druid Hills 53, Lithonia 24
Henderson 57, Columbia 6
McNair 42, Peachtree 32
Miller Grove 32, Beacon Hill 29
Redan 61, Cedar Grove 30
Salem 47, Freedom 32
Stephenson 58, Chamblee 38
Tucker 51, Bethune 31

GIRLS SCORES
Sat., 1/6/24
Beacon Hill 30, Miller Grove 6
Cedar Grove 39, Redan 11
Champion 61, Stone Mountain 2
Chapel Hill 72, Sequoyah 1
Columbia 47, Henderson 7
Druid Hills 41, Lithonia 29
Peachtree 40, McNair 38
Salem 42, Freedom 18
Stephenson 49, Chamblee 11
Tucker 34, Bethune 30

DCSD MS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Wed., 1/10/24
Beacon Hill at Tucker*
Champion at Cedar Grove*
Columbia at McNair*
Druid Hills at Chapel Hill*
Freedom at Stephenson*
Henderson at Chamblee*
Lithonia at Salem*
Miller Grove at Bethune*
Peachtree at Sequoyah*
Stone Mountain at Redan*