The Holden girls stayed with Denham Springs for nearly two quarters, but the Yellow Jackets turned on the jets in the second half as they rolled to a 75-43 win at the midpoint of this week's Livingston Parish basketball tournament hosted by Live Oak.
The game was part of a busy slate Wednesday. It also featured a nightcap game between the Denham Springs and Holden boys squads, which the Yellow Jackets won 64-22.
The Denham Springs boys benefited from the recent addition of twins Da'Sean and Da'Jean Golmond, who had been playing football. Led by 14 points from Devin Kinchen, the Jackets took a 47-11 halftime lead and coasted the rest of the way.
In the first girls game of the day, Springfield improved to 7-0 on the season with a 65-57 overtime win over Albany. The game was tied 55-55 before the extra period.
The Live Oak boys and French Settlement also needed extra time to settle their contest. The Lions had a three-point lead with a minute to play in regulation, but Jordan Magee's steal set up Cash Davis for the tying 3-pointer. Live Oak quickly pulled ahead in overtime and went on to post a 61-52 win.
The Holden girls gave Denham Springs (6-3) plenty to think about in the early going. Blaize Foster scored seven points, including a 3-pointer, and the Rockets led by as many as six points in the first quarter.
Denham Springs needed a 6-0 run in the final minute to take a 22-21 lead after one quarter.
"That first quarter, we thought we were prepared for what they do," Denham Springs coach Rudy Smith said. "Holden does a good job of setting the pace. They made us uncomfortable in that first quarter."
The first half featured four ties and four lead changes until midway through the second quarter. After Holden used an 8-2 surge to tie the game at 29-29, Denham Springs created separation.
Four Yellow Jackets got in on the scoring as Denham Springs outscored Holden 16-4 to close out the second quarter. Juliana Jones got the run started with a three-point play, and Kennedi Lindsey added a scoop shot in the lane. The Jackets went on to take a 45-33 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Prai Nelson scored nine of her 18 points as Denham Springs put the game out of reach. Denham Springs' lead was 75-42 entering the fourth quarter, when the game shifted to a running clock.
Also hitting double figures for the Yellow Jackets was Zariah Semere with 19 points and Jette Templet with 16.
The Rockets were led by Maggie Hughes, who scored 20 points. Foster made three of Holden's six 3-pointers to finish with 18 points, while Joely Rogers added 11.
"We responded in that third quarter," Smith said. "We were really active defensively and settled in. Zariah, who usually starts, came off the bench and really gave us a boost underneath."
Denham Springs moves on to face Springfield in the semifinals.