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By Brett Spears
Special to The Daily News

The Pine Raiders and Lady Raiders delivered an exciting week of basketball with both teams finishing 1-1 in their games.

In the first matchup against the Hammond Tornadoes, the Lady Raiders dominated, securing a 54-37 victory. Addyson Phelps led the scoring with an impressive 17 points, closely followed by Kori Sumrall with 14 points and Ana Kate Thomas with 13. Other contributors to the scoreboard included Samantha Thomas with 4 points, JaLaiya Lee and Kirbee Magee with 2 points each, and Dillon Sumrall and Bailey Brooks each adding one point.

In the varsity boys’ game, Pine faced an early deficit, trailing 8-2 after the first quarter, and Hammond maintained a seven-point lead at halftime. Despite a valiant effort, the Raiders fell short with a final score of 37-43. DJ Garrett stood out with an impressive 19 points and 18 rebounds, while Luke Spears added 9 points, Zachary Thomas posted 6, Braylon Lott contributed 2, and Nate Martin added 1 point.

In a matchup against district rival Amite Warriors, both the Lady Raiders and Raiders faced contrasting outcomes.

The Lady Warriors seized control early, finishing the first quarter with a commanding 18-4 lead. Amite’s Brumfield and Toefield showcased impressive shooting, extending their lead to 36-15 by halftime. Despite a spirited effort from the Lady Raiders, who narrowed the gap with an 18-point surge in the third quarter, they couldn’t bridge the difference, ultimately conceding a 64-47 victory to the Warriors.

On the girls’ side, the Lady Raiders displayed a collective effort on the scoreboard. Top scorer Addyson Phelps with 16 points, and Dillon Sumrall posted 9 points. Samantha Thomas and Ana Kate Thomas each scored 6 points. JaLaiya Lee added 3, making for a well-rounded offensive performance despite the final outcome.

In the boys’ game, Pine Raiders engaged in a tight contest. The first half saw scores going back and forth, with Pine edging ahead at halftime with a 21-14 lead. The third quarter remained neck and neck, tied at 27-27 until DJ Garrett’s buzzer-beating three-pointer provided the Raiders a crucial lead heading into the fourth quarter. In the closing moments, Zachary Thomas sealed the victory with six straight free throws, securing a 54-47 win for the Raiders.

Leading all scorers for the Raiders was DJ Garrett, showcasing his skills with 24 points, including three three-pointers. Zachary Thomas contributed significantly with 18 points. Additional scorers included Nate Martin, Von Johnson, and Braylon Lott, each adding 4 points. The Pine Raiders will continue district play with back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday against the Bogalusa Lumberjacks.