New Hope and Oxford sent its entertaining basketball rivalry out on a high note Friday night.
Mississippi High School Activities Association realignment sends Oxford up to Class 6A and New Hope down to Class 4A next season.
In the final installment of the rivalry, New Hope got the better of it, taking a 58-52 victory to win the Class 5A, Region 2 title.
New Hope had lost two heart-breakers to Oxford in the regular season but was to not be denied in the biggest game of the season.
“We won the region championship my eighth grade year,” New Hope senior Terryonte Thomas said. “I have been dreaming about this night since watching that team to do it.
“To win (the region) as a senior in front of your crowd, well that’s an awesome feeling.”
Thomas did his part with 22 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. However, on this night, he had plenty of help.
JaQuante Bell had 20 points and seven rebounds. Andrew Junkin had seven blocked shots and the Trojans totaled nine.
“When we have offensive balance, we can be tough to beat,” New Hope coach Drew McBrayer said. “Tonight, you saw a team focused for four quarters that played with a lot of energy.”
Junkin said the team took encouragement from two close losses to Oxford in the regular season.
“We just knew we had to play hard for four quarters,” Junkin said. “If we did that and defended, we would win.”
The West Point girls from the start in beating New Hope 56-40 in the girls’ championship.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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