Hornet B-team beat in first half

The John Essex High School junior varsity team beat Akron High School in the second half of the two group&8217;s games Tuesday evening. Unfortunately for the Hornets, the Rams&8217; first half domination proved too big a hump to get over.

The rams started the game by holding the Hornets scoreless in the first period, and at the end of the first half Akron held a commanding 37-6 lead.

Out of the locker room, John Essex adjusted and put up 31 points to Akron&8217;s 22 down the stretch to a 59-37 score at the final buzzer.

Jason Williamson led the way for the Rams with 16 points. For John Essex, Catrell Griffin put up 16 points, two rebounds, a steal and an assist, while Justin Parker contributed 10 points, six rebounds, two steals and an assist.

Akron girls battle back on road

Akron High School&8217;s girl&8217;s basketball team found themselves down early in a scrappy, sloppy game against John Essex Tuesday evening before battling back to grab the 43-36 win in the fourth period.

The game was a low scoring affair, with neither group breaking double digits at the end of the first quarter. Akron, however, lead by three at the beginning of the second period, before heading to the locker room at the half trailing by four.

Even with a turnover filled third period, John Essex maintained is meager lead &8212; heading into the fourth with a 29-26 advantage. But the lady rams found a way to battle back as the clock ran down, catching up to the Hornets and taking their first lead since the second period with a little over four minutes to play.

The score teeter-tottered back and forth for a couple of trips down the court and back again before Akron took their final lead with 3:45 left in the game.

Leading Ram scorers were Kadijah Small with 23 and Tori Robinson with 12. John Essex leaders were K. Bennett with 12 points three rebounds, four steals and assist and Nae Daniels with four points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks.