HOUSTON – Calhoun City handed Amory a lop-sided loss while Shannon snuck out of Houston with a thrilling two-point victory over the Hilltoppers in Saturday’s Thanksgiving Classic at Houston High School.

Javon Green scored 20 points, including the game-winning lay-up with less than 15 seconds to play, as Shannon beat Houston 64-62.

Houston trailed 55-46 when Devante Pulliam muscled in back-to-back lay-ups with 3:54 left in the contest. Trey Andress answered by sinking a pair of free throws to push the Red Raiders out to 57-50 before Pulliam converted on 1-of-2 attempts from the line with under three minutes remaining.

Kirby Jones sparked the Topper comeback with a mid-range jumper after a Shannon turnover, but with time running out the Toppers were forced to foul to extend the game. The Raiders made five out their final seven free throw attempts to hold off the late game scoring surge from the Toppers to pick up the two-point win.

“We waited until the second half to start playing,” said Houston head coach Bruce Franks. “We came out sluggish, didn’t take care of the ball, and had a lot of turnovers. I guess it’s the holiday, but we’ve got to correct that.”

Pulliam scored a game-high 20 points and Jones added 17, Thomas Hill 9, Xavier Cousins 7, Clarence Frison 5, and Xavier Eacholes scored 4 points for the Toppers.

CJ Montgomery added 12 points to Green’s 20-point performance for the Red Raiders.

Calhoun City

routs Amory 80-50

JR Jennings scored a game-high 19 and Charlie Easley added 18 to lead the Calhoun City Wildcats past the Amory Panthers 80-50.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 23-16 lead in the first quarter before getting in gear offensively to race out to a 45-27 advantage at the break. Calhoun City wasn’t done as they continued their scoring onslaught in the third quarter to take a 63-37 lead before cruising to the 30-point victory.

“The guys got into sync in the second quarter and began to play good basketball getting some turnovers on our pressure defense and that was the turning point in the game,” said Calhoun City head coach Darren Coffey.

Taborris Coffey added 15 points for Calhoun City.

“To be competitive with Calhoun City you have to play hard and you have to play smart and we didn’t do that,” said Amory coach Scott Carter.

Ten different players scored for the Panthers with Chris French leading the way with 8 points.