JACKSON – The Jefferson County Tigers got their overall record back above the .500 mark with a stunning 67-63 win over the Warren Central Vikings Thursday afternoon in the 21st annual Jackson Public Schools/Pepsi Holiday Tournament at Forest Hill High School.

Delvin Thompson scored a game-high 27 points for the Tigers (9-8). Dewones Smith finished with 16 points and Juan Wyatt added 10 points. Jefferson County jumped out to a 19-11 lead after one quarter, Warren Central chipped away at the Tigers’ lead in the second quarter to trail by only three, 33-30, at halftime.

The Tigers stretched their lead to five going into the fourth quarter. The Vikings were unable to get a big rally in the fourth quarter to pull out the win, outscoring the Tigers by only one point, 17-16.

Chijoke Ezekwe led Warren Central with 15 points and Sherman Logan chipped in with 13 points.

Warren Central 54, JCHS girls 45

The Tigerettes had a chance to get closer to the .500 mark themselves, but could not rally after getting off to a slow start in the first quarter. The Lady Vikings jumped out to a 21-7 lead after one quarter of play.

The Tigerettes (7-10) closed the lead to seven at halftime and six going into the fourth quarter.

But the Lady Vikings ended any hopes of a Jefferson County win by outscoring the Tigerettes 16-13 in the final quarter. Warren Central held Travalyn Smith, the Tigerette’s leading scorer, to just nine points. Shaterrica Hall led the Tigerettes with 19 points and Paulesha McBride added 10 points.

Jefferson County plays at Port Gibson on Jan. 4.

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21st Annual Jackson Public Schools/Pepsi Holiday Tournament

Varsity Boys

Jefferson County 67, Warren Central 63

JC 19 14 18 16 67

WC 11 19 16 17 63

Jefferson County: Delvin Thompson – 27; Dewones Smith – 16; Juan Wyatt – 10; Joshfer Nichols – 5; LaKendrick Harried – 2; Jermond Parks – 2; David Tyler – 1

Warren Central: Chijoke Ezekwe – 15; Sherman Logan – 13; Roderick Montgomery – 12; Clifforel Walker – 11; Carlton Bradford – 6; Steven McDevi – 4; Clifton Walker – 2

Jefferson County – 9-8 overall; next – at Port Gibson Jan. 4

Varsity Girls

Warren Central 54, Jefferson County 45

WC 21 6 11 16 54

JC 7 13 12 13 45

Warren Central: Lashanda Williams – 18; Wendy Thomas – 14; Wanda Calvin – 8; Tranyce Peoples – 5; Jaquita Berard – 4; Chasity Blue – 3; Talisha Butler – 2

Jefferson County: Shaterrica Hall – 19; Paulesha McBride – 10; Travalyn Smith – 9; Kenyatta Williams – 4; Latresha Wilson – 3

Jefferson County – 7-10 overall; next – at Port Gibson Jan. 4