Holmes County earns trip to the championship

Game summary by ChatGPT

Holmes County Central High School took control before halftime Thursday and never gave it back, beating Wayne County High School 52-41 after building a double-digit lead by the break.

Wayne County made an early push in the second quarter, slicing the deficit to 12-11 on a Zylan Harris basket with 6:51 left in the period. That was the opening Holmes County Central needed to slam shut. Devante Simpson answered, Jayden Jefferson scored twice, Kevon Hoggan buried a 3, and Holmes County Central closed the half on a 15-2 run for a 27-13 lead.

The third quarter kept tilting the same way. Holmes County Central opened the half with baskets from Julius Mathis and Jefferson, then pushed the margin to 34-15. Wayne County found some life behind Harris, who kept attacking and finished with 21 points, but each push was met by a Holmes County Central response. A Damarian Harris dunk and a late three-point play from Simpson helped keep the margin comfortable at 43-31 going to the fourth.

Mathis and Simpson scored 13 points apiece to lead the winners. Harris added 9 points and 6 rebounds, while Hoggan gave Holmes County Central 8 efficient points and a block. Holmes County Central finished 22-for-48 from the floor and won the glass 38-31.

Wayne County never got closer than 11 in the final period. Lennden Thames hit a 3 to cut it to 45-34, but Hoggan answered inside, Mathis threw down a dunk later in the quarter, and Holmes County Central stayed in front the rest of the way. Wayne County shot 16-for-54 overall and 4-for-28 from deep.