Report by Chris Vines
Devon Halford hit for 27 points, a game-tying shot to force overtime, and two free throws in overtime, to power the Southside senior boys to win over Highland Monday at Southside.
The Southerners jumped out to an early lead at the end of the first quarter 10-5.
Highland struggled to score against the Southerners’ defense in the first half, failing to reach double digits, and trailed the Southerners 21-9 at the break.
The Southerners went cold from the field in the third quarter scoring only four points and trailing at the end of the third, 29-25.
After two free throws with 14.9 seconds left in the game, Highland led 42-37.
Halford scored on a drive to the basket and was fouled by Highland to cut the lead to two.
Highland turned the ball over on the inbounds play without running any time off the clock, and Halford hit a short jumper to force overtime.
The extra period was scoreless until the final seconds when Halford was fouled and hit two free throws for the win as the Southerners moved to 6-0.
Trevor Longo had eight for Southside, Cam Rhodes had 20 for Highland.
The Lady Southerners traveled to Highland Tuesday night in the conference opener and came away with a 54-29 win.
The Lady Southerners trailed 6-5 early when the shots started to fall and the full-court press smothered the Lady Rebels on the offensive end, before going on a 19-0 run and leading 28-11 at the break.
The third quarter saw the Lady Southerners stretched the lead even further outscoring the Rebels 20-15 in the quarter and leading 48-26 before closing it out by emptying the bench in the final quarter.
Brett Gardner led all scorers with 19, Kamie Jenkins had 18, and Olivia Allen 13 for the Lady Southerners.
