The Charles Henderson Lady Trojans used a big second half to run away from the Barbour County Jaguars in a 49-32 victory.

It was a near wire-to-wire win for the Lady Trojans who only trailed for about 30 seconds at the beginning of the first quarter.

Barbour County was able to keep it close in the first half thanks to some hot shooting from behind the arc. Nine of Barbour County’s 14 first half points came from the three-point shot.

Alexis Jones and Kyra Scott added triples of their own in the first half and Taj Brundidge abused the Jaguars in the paint for four hard-earned points to give the Lady Trojans a 19-14 lead heading in to the break.

Ashanti Burks got the Trojans going in the third quarter with six quick points to give the Lady Trojans a little breathing room. Brundidge and India Blakeley added two buckets a piece to put the Trojans comfortable ahead 33-24 heading in to the fourth quarter.

Blakeley converted an and-one and two layups to spark the Trojans to a 9-3 run to begin the fourth quarter that put the game out of reach. All that was left for Charles Henderson was to wind down the clock and enjoy a 49-32 win.

Blakely and Burks led the way for the Trojans with 12 points apiece. Brundidge added ten points.

After the game, Charles Henderson coach Dyneshia Jones said the big second half was key to the victory. “We started shooting better in the second half,” Jones said. “Our defense improved. We started talking to one another more and started switching on our rotations.”

Jones said starting the season with a couple of wins means a lot to the girls. “It means a lot to the girls to pick up the win,” Jones said. “You can see their confidence level rise. If you start the season with a loss, it sort of hinders the girls it’s all a mind game.”

In boys’ action, a poor second half from Charles Henderson saw the Trojans fall to Barbour County 42-29.

Charles Henderson led for the majority of the first half and held a 21-17 lead at halftime, but the Trojans had no answer when the Jaguars switched to a full-court press.

Charles Henderson only scored eight points on three field goals in the second half. The Trojans also had trouble keeping the Jaguars off the line. Fourteen of the Jaguar’s 23 second half points came from the charity stripe.

The Trojans and Jaguars will meet again on Tuesday in Clayton.

The junior varsity boys, and both varsity teams will be in action.

First tip is set for 4:30 p.m.