By Laurence Hilliard
McAdams managed only one boys basketball victory during the 2025 portion of the current season while playing teams from larger classifications.
But the new year brought Region 5-1A play and the return of a key player. The result was wins over Nanih Waiya 75-36 and Noxapater 65-43, the Bulldogs two highest scoring games of the season.
“We have a rough draft of what we can be. But we still have a long way to go,” said coach Kyeson Jackson.
They were the first games for Gavin Brown, last season’s leading scorer, due to a knee injury suffered in football, and he totaled 25 points.
McAdams broke both games open in the second quarter. The Bulldogs led Nanih Waiya 16-11 after one period then exploded for 32 second-quarter points and a 48-22 halftime lead.
It was a similar story against Noxapater. A 13-10 first quarter lead ballooned to 34-14 at intermission.
“It takes us a while to get warmed up,” Jackson said. “We’re going to have to do better, to start playing from the jump. Once we get that I think we will be okay.”
Andre Brown made six of eight shots including his only three pointer against Noxapater and scored 18 points. Lucas Hornesbuger had 17 and Gavin Brown 12.
In the Nanih Waiya game Joshua Atterberry had 16 points, Gavin Brown 13 and Hornesbuger 11.
The easy wins afforded Jackson the opportunity to give significant court time to some of the younger players. “I have a lot of young guys who are still learning. They have a long way to go, but I like some of the things I have seen defensively and the work ethic they have put in.”
Girls
The Lady Bulldogs split their first two region games, following up a 41-30 loss to Nanih Waiya with a 50-40 victory over Noxapater. The 50 points was a season high for McAdams and the best game according to coach Kenyon Ross.
"We played with intensity," he said.
Taliah Gadson had 14 points with four of six shooting, eight rebounds, three steals and three blocks against Noxapater. Tamila Wise had 10 points, Ja’niah Greer and Aniyshia Gladney nine each.
Gadson had 12 points and Gladney 10 against Nanih Waiya. Jasmine Hickman scored 22 for Nanih Waiya.
The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs played Sebastopol Tuesday and will be at Leake County Friday in 5-1A games. McAdams and Leake County boys both entered the week 2-0 in region play
