For long stretches of Quitman’s bi-district game with the Hooks Hornets last week, it appeared that Quitman was ready to rally and turn the game. That surge came at the end of the third and well into the fourth quarter. It was not enough to turn the fortunes of the game. Hooks prevailed 52-41, ending the Bulldog basketball campaign.

The first quarter featured some excellent basketball. Each team came to Pittsburg well-prepared and ready for action. Levi Thompson got the Bulldogs off to a quick start, scoring on an offensive rebound put-back and a drive down the lane. 

Ethan Presley – who had a stellar game on the boards – added an inside score on an assist from Hunter Jacob. Hooks fought back featuring their 3-point shooting from the corner. At the quarter break Hooks held a 13-6 advantage.   

The Bulldogs remained close. A Thompson floater in the lane, a breakaway by Brady Floyd and an offensive rebound put-back by Landon Richey of a missed free throw closed the Bulldogs to within three points. 

The Hornets banged in two long 3-pointers from the corner to open the lead. 

In a crazy sequence under the Hooks basket at the end of the half, a long contested passage of play included a blocked shot, three offensive rebounds, a loose ball scramble and eventually a Hooks score. 

At the half, Hooks led 28-18. 

Quitman continued to plug away when play resumed. The Bulldogs scored in a variety of ways: Jacobs drove the baseline, Richey scored inside on a beautiful assist from Thompson and again with a short jump-hook. 

With 3:20 to play in the third and down by six, Quitman whistled a time out. It was time to challenge the lead. 

Hooks was not onboard with the plan, as they sunk a 3-pointer from the corner coming out of the time out. Quitman could shoot too, and Payton Sapp poured in two 3-pointers back-to-back. A Carter Smith free throw made the score 36-33, Hooks, going into the final quarter.

Two Brady Floyd free throws made it a one-point game as the final quarter got underway. Over the next two minutes, Hooks outscored Quitman 10-2, deciding the game. 

It was a Hornets’ offensive rebound put-back with 3:17 remaining which took all the energy out of the Quitman side of the gym.

The 9-point deficit was too much to overcome in the closing minutes. 

In a final declaration regarding the 2022-23 campaign, with :19 on the clock, Richey scored off of an inbound play.

He was challenged by two defenders and put up a strong arcing turnaround from the middle of the lane. 

Richey joined Thompson in double figures, with 10 and 11 points respectively. Floyd added 7 and Sapp 6. Jacobs, Smith and Presley also etched the scorecard.