The Jena Giants had a tough start to district play this past week but managed to salvage the week by splitting both games played.
The Giants would get their first two district games at home, but they would be against the two teams that finished atop the district standings a year ago.
On Tuesday, January 9, the Giants would welcome a talented and veteran Bunkie squad to town. The Giants fought hard against Bunkie a year ago but would come up short in both matchups. The first half of this one would be dominated by defense as both teams would struggle to score.
Bunkie would lead 9-7 at the end of the 1st quarter. In the 2nd quarter, Jena senior guard Demariyon Hammock would make 3 three-point shots and score 10 points in the quarter as the Giants took an 18-15 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Bunkie would pick up the defensive intensity as they would limit the Giants to only six 3rd quarter points, as Bunkie would regain the lead 31-24 going into the 4th quarter.
The Giants would play hard until the end but Bunkie would go on to win 46-36.
In the game for the Giants, Demariyon Hammock had 14 points, Zy Hunter had 8 points, Zac Brown had 5 points, Zadrien Cooper had 5 points and Xavier Brown had 4 points.
On Friday, January 12, the Jena Giants welcomed the Bolton Bears to town in another district matchup. The Giants would use their great defense and quickness to start the game at a fast pace and jump out to a 14-6 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. In the 2nd quarter, Bolton would come out in a zone defense and seniors Zy Hunter and Demariyon Hammock would pick up their second foul slowing down the Giants. Bolton would come back to outscore Jena 14-8 in the 2nd quarter as the Giants took a 22-20 lead into halftime.
In the 3rd quarter, the Giants would start to have success against the zone as they got three-point baskets from Demariyon Hammock, Zac Brown and Xavier Brown to outscore Bolton 19-10 in the quarter and take a 41-30 lead into the 4th quarter.
In the 4th quarter, Blaine Shivers would make 2 of his 3 threepoint shots in the game and the Giants would go on to win 59-53.
In the game for the Giants, Demariyon Hammock had 17 points, Zy Hunter had 13 points, Zac Brown had 9 points, Blaine Shivers had 9 points, Xavier Brown had 9 points and Zadrien Cooper had 2 points.
The Giants are now 7-6 overall and 1-1 in district play. This week, the Giants are scheduled to be on the road at Caldwell on Tuesday, January 16 and at Buckeye on Friday, January 19. Weather may determine whether or not these games are played. Remember, you can listen to all district games on FM 102.7 KJNA. Games start at 6:00 pm. If you are not in the listening area then you can tune in on the MIXLR app by searching for KJNAFM or go online at www. kjnafmjena.mixlr.com.
