HOPE - The Hope Bobcats and Ladycats basketball teams returned back to hoop action for 5A Southwest Conference play Tuesday night at home taking on the Hot Springs Trojans and Lady Trojans at Jones Field House Gymnasium.
The Ladycats would fall to the Lady Trojans 64-32 and the Bobcats leading early fell short to the Trojans, 57-40.
In junior varsity boys action, the Bobcats were defeated by Hot Springs, 34-24. In the game, Marcadise Burton led scoring with seven points and Dale Gray had five points.
In senior girls action, the Ladycats would have a tough time with the Lady Trojans in the opening quarter. Jaleisa Ballance scored the first basket for Hope at the 6:11 mark to tie the game at 2-2. The Lady Trojans would go on a run taking the lead and Hope trailed Hot Springs at the close of the first, 23-3.
In the second, the Lady Trojans extended their lead, but the Ladycats begin sparking scoring baskets. Makkia Fellows scored at the 6:42 mark, then Ballance nailed a three-pointer and converting on a three-point play at the 5:37 mark. Kandyce Brown stepped up making a three-point play, then scoring four points and hitting 1 of 2 free-throws. At halftime, Hope trailed Hot Springs, 34-19.
In the third quarter, the Lady Trojans would out-score the Ladycats and had a 47-25 advantage at the close of the quarter.
In the fourth, the Lady Trojans continued to add to their lead with Fellows scoring a basket and Brown hitting 2 of 2 at the free-throw, then Jasmine Hale making a three-pointer. Hot Springs went on to victory over the Ladycats to win the first matchup of the conference series.
In the game, Ballance led the Ladycats scoring in double-figures with 13 points and Brown had nine points. For Hot Springs, E. House led scoring in double-figures with 26 points, and S. Shaw had 16 points.
In senior boys action, the Bobcats started out with intense defense keeping the Trojans scoreless under a 1:00 minute in the first quarter. Fred Muldrew led the Bobcats 9-0 run scoring at the 6:35 mark, then Tevin Reed sparked making seven points as Hope led Hot Springs, 9-5 at the close of the first quarter.
In the second, the Trojans marched their way back to take the momentum from the Bobcats to retain the lead. Devonte Harris and Reed answered back for the Bobcats with baskets to keep Hope into the game. At halftime, Hope trailed Hot Springs, 20-13.
