WHEELER - The Houston Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers are continuing to play positive in the early season and both teams brought home the first place trophy from the Wheeler tournament last weekend.

Toppers take two

over Warriors and Bears

The Hilltoppers faced off with the Golden Bears of Alcorn Central on Friday night with the AC boys taking a 10-8 lead in the first quarter. The Toppers gained some ground for a one-point lead, 25-24, at the half.

From there, the Toppers ramped up the intensity and outscored the Bears 43-20 in the second half to take the 59-44 win.

Leading for Houston was Devante Pulliam with 21 points.

The Toppers took on the Warriors of Corinth in the Saturday game, battling all the way to the buzzer.

"They are pretty good," said Coach Bruce Franks.

The Toppers and Warriors went 12-all to end the first quarter and the Toppers gained a three-point lead at the half.

The Toppers lost Lazerick Pulliam to an injury, but Thomas Hill stepped in to keep the drive going.

"He came in off the bench and gave us 14 points," Franks said.

Corinth made8- up two points in the third quarter, but the Toppers kept their eyes on the goal and gained another needed point in the fourth for the 58-56 win.

Kirby Jones led the Toppers with 17 points.

"He played really well," Franks said.

Xavier Cousins dropped in 10 in the win.

The tourney puts the Toppers at 4-1.

Ladies sweep

Bears, Warriors

The Lady Toppers took on the Lady Bears Friday night and battled from a 21-24 deficit at halftime to cut the lead to two after the third. The girls picked up the pace in the fourth quarter, out-shooting the Lady Bears 19-14 for the 54-51 win.

On Saturday, the Lady Toppers turned things around and went into the half leading the Lady Warriors 26-24. The Houston girls extended their lead in the third and the Lady Warriors tried for a fourth-quarter rally but the Lady Toppers held them off for the 59-56 win.

The Lady Toppers are at 3-1.