The Jena Giants came into this past week needing a big win and that’s exactly what they achieved over the Caldwell Spartans to open up District 2-3A action.
The Giants had to start their season later than most teams due to having to wait on football to finish so they could get their full team. The Giants still started the season 4-1 but then lost 5 in a row to come into district play needing a win to get back on track.
The Giants would open up district play at home this past Friday night, January 10, as the Caldwell Spartans came to town. The Giants would come into the game with a 4-6 record while Caldwell would come in with an 8-6 record.
Senior Gavin Hoffpauir would get the scoring started as he put the Giants up 2-0 and the two teams would go back and forth from there. The Giants and Spartans would be tied at 4 midway through the first quarter when a steal by Zadrien Cooper would seem to spark the Giants. Cooper would have a one-handed dunk and the Giants would go on a 9-0 run to take a 13-4 lead.
From that point on, the Giants would maintain the lead throughout the game with Caldwell cutting the deficit to 6 a few times and the Giants extending their lead to 12 at times. At the end of the game Caldwell would get within 5 points as the Giants lead 54-49 with a minute left in the game. Caldwell would then get called for three technical fouls with one coming on the bench and two on a player. Caldwell would get called for four technical fouls in the game. Gavin Hoffpauir would go to the line and make six free throws to put the game away and the Giants would go on to win 62-49.
Zac Brown would have a big game for the Giants as he made three, three-point shots in the game. The Giants as a team made five three-point shots. Brown would lead all scorers with 19 points. Gavin Hoffpauir had 18 points and 4 blocks. Xavier Brown had 11 points and 5 assists. Zadrien Cooper had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Daniel Hatcher and Titan Smith each had 2 points.
With the win the Giants are now 5-6 on the season and 1-0 in district play.
The Giants were scheduled to take on Harrisonburg Monday night of this week in a non-district game and on Friday, January 17, they will have their second district game against the Bolton Bears at Guy Campbell Memorial Gymnasium. Next Tuesday, the Giants will travel to play Forest in another non-district game before traveling to Bunkie January 24 as district continues.
All of the Giants’ district games can be heard on FM 102.7 KJNA starting at 6:00 p.m. with the Lady Giants, followed by the Giants’ game. If you are not in the listening area then you can download the MIXLR app and search for KJNAFM or go online at www. kjnafmjena.mixlr.com.
Photos from the Caldwell game:
