Smith Hits GW Layup to Topple Horn Lake; Lady Chargers Takes Care of Lady Eagles
The Oxford Chargers trailed the Horn Lake Eagles by as many as 12 points in the second half. There were plenty of shots by Derrius Southern and Chase Rose that weren’t falling to help the comeback attempt.
DJ Smith only had six points, but the three field goals he had were crucial in the comeback. His last field goal came at the buzzer on an inbounds play with 2.2 seconds left after the Eagle defense lost track of him and Smith made them pay in Oxford’s 63-62 victory over Horn Lake Tuesday night in the OHS Gym in the Division 2-6A Tournament.
The win advances Oxford into the Class 6A Playoffs that begin next week and also advances the Chargers into the 2-6A Championship game Friday night.
“The game had a lot of different looks and we like the way it looked at the final buzzer, I can tell you that,” Oxford coach Drew Tyler said. “Last second shot and win the game by one. This time of year everybody is 0-0. This is the third season, it’s the season that counts and they made the plays.”
Oxford (10-10 overall) held a 20-17 lead after the first quarter, but Horn Lake (8-7) went on a 14-0 run that started at the end of the first quarter and took a 28-20 lead and held onto that lead at 35-28 at halftime. The Eagles ballooned the lead to 50-38 before Oxford started to cut into it and cut it to seven by the end of the third quarter at 51-44. The game remained back-and-forth until Oxford had cut the lead down to four at 60-56. The Chargers took a 61-60 lead before Horn Lake retook it at 62-61 before Oxford’s final possession and the game-winning layup by Smith.
Southern finished with a team-high 19 points while Rose finished with 18 points. Kareem Thompson for Horn Lake led all scorers with 23 points.
Girls Advance
Like in their first meeting at home against the Horn Lake Lady Eagles, the Oxford Lady Chargers made it look easy in their 58-43 victory over Horn Lake. The win advances Oxford into the Class 6A Playoffs that begin next week, clinches a home game in their opening round of the playoffs, and advances them into the 2-6A Championship game Thursday night.
In Oxford’s (12-15) first home meeting against Horn Lake, they came away with a 52-30 victory and used the same defensive plan to create separation in their third meeting between the two teams. Horn Lake won their home game against Oxford last week 47-46.
“I thought the defense and focus early in the game was there,” Oxford coach Cliff Ormon said. “We did a really good job of staying with the players that hurt us the last couple times they’ve played us.”
Oxford held a slim 15-14 lead in the second quarter, but the Lady Chargers went on a 14-0 run to create a double-digit lead and led 31-17 at halftime. It was a lead Oxford was able to maintain in double-digits throughout the second half. Oxford led Horn Lake 48-26 after three quarters.
Audria Houston led Oxford with 18 points while Miracle Joiner tacked on 15 points.
Oxford girls will play Hernando for the 2-6A Championship while the boys will play Southaven. The girls will play Thursday while the boys will play Friday. Tip times for both nights will be at 7:30 p.m.
