Terrell Academy basketball sweeps Lakeside School in Tip-Off Invitational

DAWSON — Terrell Academy senior Hayden Crosson swished a three from the corner with 40 seconds left to play Monday night and the Terrell Academy Eagles held off a Lakeside rally for a 38-31 win in the final game of the Willie K. Jones TALE Tip-Off Invitational. The Lady Eagles were never threatened in their game as Terrell won easily, 53-29.

Neither team burned up the nets but Crosson hit two threes to begin the game for the Eagles and Terrell Academy led the entire time until the Chiefs tied the game late in the third at 27-27. Ashton Turner scored on a layup as the third quarter ended to give the Eagles a 29-27 lead going into the final quarter.

Baskets were hard to come by but a steal and a fast break layup from Lakeside’s James Curry brought the Chiefs to within one at 32-31 with less than a minute to play. After a time-out, Crosson hit his final three and added another basket at the end to second the 38-31 win.

Crosson led all scorers with 16 points on the night.

Annalea Massey hit two three-pointers and Liza West swished another in the first quarter as the Lady Eagles combined those threes with a stingy defense to build a 19-8 lead during the first quarter and lead 27-13 at the half. The stingy defense kept Lakeside from scoring at all in the second quarter, except for five free throws.

Mackenzie Cooper led the Lady Eagles with 16 points. Sally Masters and Jenna Debary added eight each.

Terrell Academy will be back in action next Tuesday when Westwood comes to Dawson for non-region games. The girl’s tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. with the boys to follow.