Bolivar wins first game of season

The Bolivar Central Tigers earned their first win of the season on Dec. 15, in a game  at home against Sacred Heart of Jesus, 61-60, after losing to Jackson Central Merry (JCM), 88-76 on the road, Dec. 14.
In Monday’s game against JCM, the Tigers struggled early on, and found themselves with a 10 point deficit after the first period, which was extended to 15 points at the half. The Tigers were finally able to pick up some lost ground in the third period, and cut the deficit to nine points, but JCM regained three points in the final stanza for the 12 point 88-76 win.
Tyrese Woods led the effort with 16 points, followed by Demarkus Murrell with 14 points and David Terburgh with 10 points.
Tuesday’s game against Sacred Heart was much better. The two teams were evenly matched early on and ended the first period knotted at 16-16. Bolivar was able to gain a five point advantage by halftime, but Sacred Heart managed to cut the lead to just two points at the end of he third period, and led by two points late in the game when Fabion Cross hit a three pointer with just 15 seconds left to give Bolivar a one point lead with about 15 seconds left. Sacred Heart had a chance to make a shot at the buzzer, but it failed to go in, and the Tigers held on for the one point 61-60 win.
“We did not do much to help ourselves,” said Bolivar head coach Rick Rudesill. We had too many turnovers late in the game. Sacred Heart played aggressive and we played scared.”
David Terburgh led the way with 20 points while Fabion Cross added 10 points, including the winning three point shot.
Rudesill’s opponent for this contest was familiar to him. Nick Beauregard, first year coach for Sacred Heart played for Bolivar under Rudesill, graduating in 2002.
Bolivar is now 1-9 for the season.
The Bolivar Lady Tigers won both of their contests last week, defeating JCM 51-17 on the road Monday,  then beating Sacred Heart of Jackson 58-8 at home on Tuesday.
Stats were not available for the JCM game, but in the Sacred Heart game, Quintella Bills and Raquel Hardaway led all scorers with 10 points each, in a game where many younger players saw significant playing time.
“We had a chance to see some of our younger girls who normally do not see much playing time,” Rudesill said.

Bolivar’s record is now 5-5
Bolivar will not  play again until Monday, Dec. 28, when they play in the Larry Ransom Holiday Classic at Fayette-Ware in Somerville. The boys will face Craigmont on Monday,  Dec. 28 at 3 p.m., and Ripley on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 3:30 p.m., while the girls will face Horn Lake MS., on Monday, Dec. 28, at 11:30 a.m., and Ridgeway on Tuesday, Dec. 29. at 5 p.m.