A pair of close boys’ games highlighted Magnolia Heights’ run in the annual MHS Memorial Classic last week.
After Heritage Academy drained a game-winning - but questionable - last-second shot, the Chiefs responded the next night with a thrilling four-point victory against Hernando.
Against Heritage last Monday, the Chiefs trailed 20-12 early in the second period before closing the first half on a 12-4 run, tying the contest at 24-24 apiece.
Magnolia Heights kept the momentum going out of the halftime break, scoring the first few baskets of the second half and moving to a six-point advantage at the end of the third period, 37-31. Heritage Academy began to work its way back into the game over the course of the final eight minutes, however, eventually taking a 41-40 lead after outscoring the Chiefs 10-3.
Leading 46-45 with 12.8 seconds left, Magnolia Heights needed a stop to seal a win. At first, it seemed the Chiefs had gotten that stop when Sam Hammon’s three-pointer got off late after the buzzer. Despite the initial celebration by the Chiefs, however, the officials ruled that the basket had gotten off before the clock hit all zeroes, denying Magnolia Heights the victory.
Fabian Nelson and Charlie Taylor led MHS with 17 and 13 points, respectively.
Magnolia Heights earned redemption the following evening, however, defeating Hernando 54-50 to finish 1-1 in the annual tournament.
Nathan Fernholz provided 24 points to lead the Chiefs, while Nelson finished in double figures for the second consecutive game, earning 16 points. Collin Reuter also contributed 10 points in the victory.
Girls’ game:
Dec. 28 – Madison-Ridgeland Academy 40,
Magnolia Heights 28
Senior Lucy Lipscomb was nearly unstoppable for Magnolia Heights last Monday evening, scoring 19 of the Lady Chiefs’ 28 points in a loss to Madison-Ridgeland Academy.
MHS trailed 17-13 at the end of the first period and were held to just three points in the second period, trailing 25-16 at halftime. Lipscomb scored 15 of her points from beyond the arc.
