Prep Basketball: Lady Hawks topple Lady Greyhounds Tuesday night

Hancock’s Lexi Ladner defends as Arayana Newsome of Ocean Springs looks to make a pass Tuesday night. (Photo by Destiny DeBuysere)

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director
OCEAN SPRINGS — The Hancock girls got a win over one Class 7A foe Tuesday night as the Lady Hawks set their sights on an ever bigger opponent later this week.
Visiting Hancock toppled Ocean Springs 53-44 here at Hubbard Gymnasium to move to 18-8 overall with its ninth straight win. The Lady Greyhounds, meanwhile, fall to 15-12 overall, and they have lost seven out of their last eight games.

Hancock’s Jaleigh Garriga makes a move with the ball as Nyla Newsome of Ocean Springs defends Tuesday night. (Photo by Destiny DeBuysere)

Hancock’s Lexi Dreher looks for a passing partner as Jayla Padowitz of Ocean Springs defends Tuesday night. (Photo by Destiny DeBuysere)

Hancock’s Paityn Langley defends as Layla Daley of Ocean Springs puts up a shot Tuesday night. (Photo by Destiny DeBuysere)

Hancock’s Paityn Langley looks for some working room inside as Moriah Jackson of Ocean Springs (15) defends Tuesday night. (Photo by Destiny DeBuysere)

Ocean Springs kept the game close throughout the first half, as senior standout Starr Jackson drained a trio of 3-pointers and scored 12 first half points as Hancock went into halftime up just 22-19.
However, the Lady Hawks four their touch from the outside as well and duplicated their entire first half point total in third frame alone as both Lexi Dreher and Lexi Ladner nailed a pair of treys apiece and Madalyn Hoda addxed a 3-pointer as well and the visitors slowly stretched their advantage out to 44-24 heading into the final period.
And even though Jackson tallied 12 more points, including another another trey, down the stretch, the deficit would be too much for the home team to overcome.

Hancock’s Lexi Ladner battles with Layla Daley of Ocean Springs for the ball Tuesday night. (Photo by Destiny DeBuysere)

Hancock’s Jaleigh Garriga stands tall in a scramble for a rebound with both Nyla Newsome (4) and Aryana Newsome of Ocean Springs Tuesday night. (Photo by Destiny DeBuysere)

Hancock’s Paityn Langley looks for her shot as Moriah Jackson of Ocean Springs defends Tuesday night. (Photo by Destiny DeBuysere)

Hancock’s Lexi Dreher alters a shot by Nyla Newsome of Ocean Springs Tuesday night. (Photo by Destiny DeBuysere)

Paityn Langley tallied 16 points to pace Hancock, while Dreher chipped in 11 points to the winning cause and Ladner added eight points. Maylee Cuevas also had seven points for HHS.
Jackson dropped in a game-high 24 points for OSHS, while Nyla Newsome added 10 points, four assists and five steals. Jackson also had four steals and Layla Daley grabbed five rebounds.
Hancock hosts Biloxi Thursday night, while OSHS heads to St. Martin Friday night.