Eagles Stay Perfect in District With Gritty Win Over Mumford
Dennis Phillips publisher@robconews.com Robertson County News HEARNE — The Hearne Eagles continued their steady march through District 26-2A on Tuesday night, surviving a defensive battle to edge Mumford 46-43 and extend a season-best six-game winning streak. Hearne improved to 20-6 overall and remained unbeaten in district play at 5-0, holding sole possession of first place. The Eagles have been consistently tough at home this season, posting an 8-1 record, while also proving reliable away from Hearne with a combined 12-5 mark in road and neutral-site games. Tuesday’s contest was a game of momentum swings and disciplined defense. Hearne narrowly led after the opening quarter, 12-11, before Mumford clamped down defensively in the second period. The Mustangs outscored the Eagles 12-4 in the quarter to take a 23-16 lead into halftime, forcing Hearne to regroup. The Eagles responded after the break with improved ball movement and defensive pressure. Hearne trimmed the deficit in the third quarter, outscoring Mumford 13-10 to close within 33-29 heading into the final eight minutes. In the fourth, Hearne delivered its best stretch of the night, scoring 17 points while limiting Mumford to 10 to complete the comeback. The win underscored a familiar theme for Hearne this season: balance and late-game execution. The Eagles entered the night averaging 64 points per game while allowing just under 47, numbers that reflect a team comfortable winning in multiple styles. Against Mumford, Hearne leaned on defense and composure rather than pace. Mumford fell to 15-9 overall despite a strong defensive showing. The Mustangs controlled the tempo for much of the night and carried a slim advantage deep into the game before Hearne’s late surge turned the outcome. The Mustangs will look to rebound Friday when they travel to Iola for another district test. Hearne now turns its attention to a road matchup at Somerville on Friday, Jan. 23. The Eagles will face the Somerville Yeguas, who enter the game at 6-15 overall and 0-5 in district play. Somerville is coming off a loss to Snook and has struggled offensively, averaging 43.5 points per game. Statistically, Hearne holds advantages across the board, including scoring margin, district record and overall consistency. Still, the Eagles are expected to approach the matchup with caution, knowing district games often hinge on focus rather than numbers. As the regular season moves deeper into district play, Hearne’s combination of defense, balance and poise continues to position the Eagles as a strong postseason contender in Class 2A Region IV.
Lady Lions Roll Past Thrall, Set Sights on Rogers Rematch
Dennis Phillips publisher@robconews.com Robertson County News FRANKLIN — The Franklin Lady Lions continued their strong district run Tuesday night, pulling away for a convincing 51-33 victory over Thrall to improve to 22-6 overall and 6-1 in District play. Franklin’s latest win snapped together the fundamentals that have defined its season: steady scoring, disciplined defense and control of tempo. The Lady Lions limited Thrall to just 33 points while maintaining offensive balance throughout the game, extending their point differential on the year to more than 400 points scored above opponents. With the win, Franklin sits second in the district standings and remains firmly in the postseason picture. The Lady Lions have been equally effective regardless of venue, posting identical 7-1 records at home and on the road, while also compiling an 8-4 mark in neutral-site games. Their consistency has translated into a .786 overall winning percentage and a .857 district clip. Thrall entered the matchup with a winning district record but struggled to find rhythm offensively against Franklin’s defensive pressure. The Lady Lions controlled the glass, limited second-chance opportunities and steadily built separation as the game progressed. Franklin’s defensive effort held Thrall well below its season scoring average of 45.6 points per game. Statistically, Franklin continues to profile as one of the more balanced teams in its classification. The Lady Lions average 49 points per game while allowing just under 35, a margin that reflects both offensive efficiency and defensive discipline. They have outscored opponents 1,371 to 971 this season, a testament to sustained performance across four quarters. Franklin now turns its attention to a familiar district opponent as the Lady Lions travel to Rogers on Friday, Jan. 23, for a road conference matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The Rogers Eagles enter the contest at 13-12 overall and 3-4 in district play, holding a slight edge in home games but struggling for consistency against top-tier opponents. The matchup will be a rematch of a December meeting in which Franklin defeated Rogers 52-44. In that game, the Lady Lions jumped out early and built a cushion that proved decisive despite a late push from Rogers. Franklin’s ability to control the first half has been a recurring advantage this season, as the Lady Lions average nearly 27 points combined in the opening two quarters. On paper, Franklin holds advantages in scoring average, defensive output and district standing, and the Lady Lions are favored heading into Friday’s contest. Still, district road games often present challenges, particularly against teams looking to climb the standings late in the season. As the regular season moves toward its final stretch, Franklin continues to position itself as a serious postseason contender. With a proven track record of winning close games and controlling matchups against district rivals, the Lady Lions remain focused on finishing strong and carrying momentum into the playoffs.
Lady Mustangs Stay Perfect in District, Roll Past Snook
Dennis Phillips publisher@robconews.com Robertson County News MUMFORD — The Mumford Lady Mustangs continued their dominant district run Tuesday night with a decisive 52-25 victory over Snook, improving to 16-3 overall and a perfect 6-0 in district play. Mumford controlled the game from start to finish, using defensive pressure and efficient scoring to overwhelm Snook and extend its current winning streak to four games. The Lady Mustangs held Snook to just 25 points, well below its season average, while continuing to build on one of the strongest defensive resumes in the district. With the win, Mumford remains alone atop the district standings. The Lady Mustangs have been consistent in all settings this season, posting an 8-2 mark at home, a 3-1 record on the road and an unblemished 5-0 record at neutral sites. Their .842 winning percentage reflects a team that has found balance and depth as district play progresses. Defensively, Mumford has been especially tough, allowing only 516 points through 19 games while scoring 868. The Lady Mustangs are giving up just over 27 points per game, a figure that has consistently put opponents in catch-up mode. Offensively, Mumford averages 45.7 points per contest, spreading production across all four quarters rather than relying on late surges. Snook dropped to 13-12 overall and 3-3 in district play with the loss. The Lady Bluejays struggled to generate offense against Mumford’s defensive rotations and transition pressure, managing only limited scoring opportunities throughout the game. Despite the setback, Snook remains in the district race as the season moves toward its final weeks. Mumford now turns its attention to a key road test Friday, Jan. 23, when the Lady Mustangs travel to Iola for a district matchup scheduled for 6 p.m. The Iola Bulldogs enter the contest with a 17-9 overall record and a 4-3 district mark, positioning the game as one of the more competitive matchups on the district schedule. The two teams met last month, with Mumford claiming a convincing 41-18 victory. In that meeting, the Lady Mustangs controlled the tempo early and never allowed Iola to establish offensive rhythm. Since then, Iola has shown improvement, particularly on the offensive end, averaging more than 44 points per game this season. Statistically, the matchup favors Mumford. The Lady Mustangs hold advantages in scoring margin, defensive efficiency and district record. Iola, however, has been solid at home and has shown the ability to push games into late situations, including multiple overtime contests this season. As the regular season moves deeper into district play, Mumford continues to establish itself as a top contender. With a combination of disciplined defense, consistent scoring and proven results against district opponents, the Lady Mustangs enter the final stretch focused on maintaining momentum and securing a strong postseason position.
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