Editor’s note: This article was written by Seymore Weathers, managing editor of the Fordyce News Advocate.

Under the bright gym lights at Fordyce High School gymnasium, the buzzer echoed with no seconds left on the clock as Fordyce earned a much-needed victory on its home court.

The Redbugs, ahead by two points after Jordan Rainey hit one of two free throws in the final seconds, defeated the Poyen Indians 58-56 Friday (Jan. 16) and the crowd went wild with cheer.

It was a moment of triumph, the kind of victory that would be remembered long after the scoreboard was turned off and the gym went quiet.

Poyen got on the scoreboard first with C. Barrett #55 hitting a short jump shot giving the Indians an early 2-0 lead. The Redbugs answered with Jordan Raney #1 hitting a three-pointer from the left pocket to push ahead 3-2.

Poyen responded with four unanswered points from Barrett #55, a tall center, but Fordyce struck back with Jakyson Russell #4 popping the trey, to tie the game at 6-6. Jamartez Stroud #2 caught fire with scoring and hit two back-to-back three pointers before the first quarter ended with a 17-10 Redbug lead.

Both teams battled in the second quarter with Fordyce taking a 29-24 margin into the halftime break.

In the third quarter, Fordyce kept the lead with Stroud #2 hitting a three pointer to start things off and Vincent Stroud #23 scoring 7 points.

Poyen’s S. Jones #20 hit the two-point basket for the Indians as the score rocked back and forth to end the third quarter with Fordyce up 45-41 over the Indians.

Fordyce was able to hold on for the 58-56 win in the fourth.

W. Smith #10 had the hot hands for the Indians pouring in 14 points, H. Woods #23 had 12 points, C. Barrett #55 chipped in 10 points and S. Jones #20 added 9 points to lead the scoring for Poyen.

Jamartez Stroud #2 led all scorers with 18 points, while Vincent Stroud #23 had 10 points. Jakyson Russell #4 and Zavier Jones #10 chipped in 7 points each. Tristan Allen #0 and Jordan Raney #1 added 5 points each.

The Fordyce boys team improves to 7-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play. Poyen falls to 10-3 on the year and 3-3 in league play.

The Lady Redbugs fell to undefeated Poyen 64-43 despite solid offensive production from Geralyn Jackson. She scored 14 points to lead the team. The Lady Redbugs slipped to 9-10 for the season and 2-4 in conference play. Poyen, the No. 1 team in Class 2A, moved to 18-0 overall.

The Redbugs will celebrate homecoming this Friday, January 23. They will play the Magnet Cove Panthers in Fordyce at their home gym.

Cutline: Redbugs Jordan Rainey #1 floats to the basket for a layup for two points against the Poyen Indians in a 58-56 victory.