The Jena Giants picked up two big wins this past week to keep climbing the power rankings in Division III Non-Select. On Tuesday, February 4, the Giants would travel to Glenmora and pick up a big 6559 victory. In the game for the Giants, Zadrien Cooper had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Gavin Hoffpauir had 16 points and 4 assists. Xavier Brown had 12 points and 5 rebounds.
On Friday night, February 7, the Giants would make the trip to Buckeye for another district matchup. The Giants came into the game with a 9-8 overall record and 3-1 in district play. The Giants would need a win at Buckeye to setup a district championship matchup with Marksville. It would be a homecoming for Jena senior Gavin Hoffpauir. Hoffpauir played his first three years at Buckeye before transferring to Jena after his dad was hired as the Lady Giants head coach. Gavin was a starter last season on a very good Buckeye team. So, Gavin is very familiar with the Buckeye program. Buckeye is known for their tough zone on defense and their ability to shoot from the outside. It always seems like it’s tough to get a win at Buckeye.
The game would start slow as the Giants would try to figure out the Buckeye zone. Buckeye would take an 8-6 lead into the second quarter. The Giants would struggle early as Buckeye would take a 13-6 lead early in the 2nd quarter. With 45 seconds left in the quarter, Buckeye would have a 20-16 lead on the Giants. In that last 45 seconds though, Zadrien Cooper would go on a 6-0 run as he would make two layups and get fouled on both. He would also make both free throws and the Giants would take a 22-20 lead into halftime.
The end to the first half seemed to be the spark that the Giants needed as they came out on fire in the second half. Zac Brown would make a three-point shot to give the Giants a 3925 lead late in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Buckeye would try to stay in it, but the Giants would hold on for a 51-44 victory.
In the game for the Giants, Xavier Brown had 18 points and 3 assists. Zadrien Cooper had 16 points and 12 rebounds. Zac Brown had 9 points, Daniel Hatcher had 6 points and Gavin Hoffpauir had 2 points.
With the win the Giants are now 10-8 overall and 4-1 in district play. This Friday night the Giants will travel to Marksville for the final district game of the season. Marksville is 5-0 in district play. If the Giants win then it would be a three-way tie for the district championship between Jena, Bunkie and Marksville.
The last time the Giants won a district championship was in the 2020 season. Last year, the Giants defeated Marksville at Marksville before the Tigers went on to win the Division III Non-Select state championship. It will be a huge matchup for the Giants as a win would give them a big jump in the power rankings as well. Everyone is asked to make the trip to Marksville this Friday night to cheer on the Giants as they play for a district championship.
If you can’t make it to the game then you can hear all the live action on 102.7 KJNAFM starting at 6:00 p.m. 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 game:
