Hill College Defeats Kilgore College in Blalock Classic Showdown

The Evelyn Blalock Classic at Kilgore College’s Masters Gymnasium kicked off with competitive matchups on March 15, 2024. In an exciting opener, Midland College edged out Panola College with a final score of 69-64 in overtime. Meanwhile, the host Kilgore College Lady Rangers faced a challenging game against Hill College, ultimately losing 66-57.

Hill College’s Kiah Goynes was instrumental in the victory, showcasing her skills from beyond the arc. She started the game strong, scoring nine of her total 20 points on three 3-pointers in the first quarter. Goynes’ clutch shooting continued as she hit a crucial 3-pointer late in the game, tying the score at 53-53 and paving the way for Hill’s decisive finish.

The final moments saw Hill College take control as Goynes connected on another three-pointer at the 6:21 mark, followed by a traditional 3-point play by Journee Chambers. This sequence put Hill ahead for good. Despite a valiant effort from Kilgore College, including a late 3-pointer from Janiya Murphy that narrowed the gap to 58-56, Hill scored the next seven points to secure the win.

Kilgore’s Ja’Sani Green recorded a strong performance with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Other notable contributions came from Madison Bob, who scored nine points and provided four rebounds, and Kelsie Magnum, who contributed seven points, seven rebounds, and four assists. The Lady Rangers fought hard but could not overcome Hill College’s late surge.

In the earlier game, Midland College’s Diana Szakolczi led the charge against Panola College with 17 points. Despite trailing at halftime and entering the fourth quarter down 43-40, Midland managed to force overtime and ultimately emerged victorious. Shaine Parker was a standout for Panola, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds, but it was not enough to secure a win.

The tournament continues with Panola facing Hill College at 11 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a matchup between the KC women and Midland College at 1 p.m., both taking place at Masters Gymnasium.

As the tournament progresses, the Kilgore College men’s team, currently holding a record of 10-2 and 3-1 in their conference, will also be in action. They are scheduled to host Lee College at 16:00 on Saturday, promising more excitement in the coming days.