AMS seventh grade boys’ seal undefeated district title

7A

Atlanta Middle School’s seventh-grade boys’ basketball team took part in the district tournament on Feb. 8 in Redwater.

The Atlanta Rabbits ran away from the Liberty Eylau Leopards in the semifinal matchup of the district tournament, 43-22. Zay Smith paced the Rabbs with thirteen points, while Jayden Moore played an amazing game and finished with eight.

J’Kyron Anderson and JT McNeal netted six each for the victors, while Cruz Crosby (five), Marq Anderson (four) and Rylan Buford (one) each found their way in the box score. Christian Parker led Liberty Eylau with eleven.

The Rabbits met their cross-town rivals, the Queen City Bulldogs, in the finals. The Rabbits started out hot, scoring sixteen in the first quarter, yet found themselves trailing heading into the fourth. J’Kyron Anderson then caught fire, scoring ten of his team high fourteen points in the final stanza, as Atlanta outscored Queen City 16-4 in the quarter, ultimately prevailing 40-35.

Jayden Moore provided the Rabbs with rebounding, stellar defense and nine points. Cruz Crosby and JT McNeal added six points each, while Zay Smith netted five for the winners. Marquese Richards scored 17 for the Bulldogs.

AMS 7A finishes the season a perfect 11-0 and claims both the regular season and district tournament championships.

8A

Atlanta Middle School’s eighth-grade boys’ basketball team also took part in the district tournament on Feb. 8 in Redwater.

The semi-final matchup pitted the Atlanta Rabbits against the Hooks Hornets. A close game at the half, quickly swung the Rabbits way, as Atlanta put up 22 in the third quarter to the Hornets’ seven. Atlanta would go on to win 54-28 behind Aiden Shields game high seventeen points.

Hardy Sheppard once again filled the stat sheet with blocks, boards and 14 points. Kelvin Roberson added eight for the victors.

The Tournament Final saw the Rabbits meet up with the Liberty Eylau Leopards for the third time this season. Unlike the previous two contests that ended in Rabbit victories, the Leopards bested the Rabbits 49-47 in an overtime thriller.

Aiden Shields led all scorers with 18. Hardy Sheppard scored 13, Kelvin Roberson seven and Ayden Washington five. Tarshundrick Wren and Kayden Soils scored ten each for the Leopards.

AMS 8A finishes the season 9-2 and undefeated regular season district champions.