Boys: Demopolis 40, Livingston 37

Demopolis’s Dontrell Miller made a tremendous block with under five seconds to play to preserve a 40-37 victory over area rival Livingston in varsity boys action Tuesday night.

Willie Blount hit two free throws to give Demopolis a 38-37 lead with 1:50 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Tigers hung on despite turning the ball over multiple times under heavy Livingston pressure.

With less than 20 seconds to play, a mad loose ball scramble gave the Cougars’ Montrell Farmer a driving layup opportunity, but he could not convert. When Willie Gracey missed the front end of a one-and-one for Demopolis, Livingston had another fast break opportunity. But Miller blocked what appeared to be a Cougar dunk attempt and the Tigers took possession after the ball caromed out of bounds. Miller hit two free throws with 4.3 seconds remaining and a last-gasp Cougar heave from three-quarters court was well wide.

Miller and Casey Cantey led the Demopolis effort with 9 points apiece, followed by Blount’s 7, Collins Espy’s 6, Brian Taylor’s 5, and Brian Burrell and Gracey with 2 each.

James Bell was the game’s only player in double figures, scoring 10 to lead Livingston. He was followed by Haley Williams with 9, Farmer with 7, Dexter Speight with 5, and Jeremy Yates, Mario Carter, and Brock Williams with 2 each.

Demopolis trailed 20-17 near the end of the first half before an Espy three and a Taylor basket gave the Tigers a 22-20 halftime lead. A low-scoring third quarter left the game tied at 26 entering the final period.

The win is Demopolis’s fourth straight and improves the Tigers’ record to 4-1. They will next take the court in the Greensboro Classic Thursday.

Girls: Demopolis 70, Livingston 26

The outcome was never in doubt as a taller, more physical Demopolis team dominated the post and earned a comfortable victory over the visiting Lady Cougars Tuesday night.

Demopolis’s Katerria Johnson led the charge with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Shawnese Armstead added 16 points, 9 steals, and 7 rebounds.

The Lady Tigers took control early, seizing a 15-4 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 32-7 advantage at halftime.

Following Johnson and Armstead on the Demopolis scoresheet were Loreal Moore with 7 points, Jasmine Hardy with 6, Kelli Johnson and Jasmine Simmons with 4, Krystal Walker with 3, and Alexandra Brock, Kierra Plaskett, Valissa Sams, Jocelyn Lawson, and Shay Smith with 2 each.

Livingston was led by Shamikia Moore with 8 points, followed by Shquisha Speight, Vanquacious Otis, and Kelvia Griggs with 4 each, Brittany Washington with 3, and Ashley Winn and Consuela Rice with 2 each.