After opening the 2019-20 campaign with a 69-7 drubbing the Trezevant Lady Bears on Nov. 19, the Covington Lady Chargers made it two in a row, defeating the Central Lady Warriors 59-48 in round two of the Hall of Fame on Nov. 23.
Trailing by two after one period, the Lady Chargers outscored the Lady Warriors 20-14 in the second period and were never headed.
Kalynn Howard continued her hot shooting, leading all scorers with 22 points that included 11 of 11 makes at the free throw line. Trinity Taylor put 14 points in the book and Felia Fayne 12.
As is their custom, the Lady Chargers hit the road for tournament play over the Thanksgiving holiday. This year they traveled to Tunnel Hill, Ga. for the Border Wars Classic, where they went 2-1 Nov. 25-27.
Covington fell to the Sonoraville Phoenix of Calhoun, Ga. 59-51 in the tournament opener. CHS fell behind by 12 in the first quarter being outscored 17-9. The margin grew to 19 by the half. It took a 21-5 fourth quarter to make it respectable.
Fayne paced her team with 17 points. Also reaching double figures were Trinity Taylor with 11 and Robinson with 10.
The Lady Chargers bounced back the following day, improving to 3-1 with a 68-55 win over the North Murray Lady Mountaineers from Chatsworth, Ga.. A 21-point first period staked Covington to an 11-point lead that they did not relinquish.
Four 3-pointers found the bottom of the net in the period with Howard popping 2 of her 4 makes from deep on the way to a game-high 23 points. Brinley Cousar and Ja’Nile Alston hit the other long balls. Fayne and Trinity Taylor scored 16 and 14, respectively.
CHS spoiled host school Tunnel Hill’s tournament finale, slipping by the Lady Bruins 39-24 in a low-scoring affair.
Howard paced Covington with 13 points and a pair of 3-pointers.
After a couple of days rest, the Lady Chargers traveled to Gibson County to take on the USJ Lady Bruins on Nov. 30. The Covington offense struggled for a second straight game in the 48-35 loss.
Fayne led Covington with 17 points.
The Lady Chargers take on Gleason at Martin Westview on Dec. 6 and open the home season against Union City on Dec. 7. The Brighton Lady Cardinals come calling on Dec. 10.
In boys’ action:
The 2019-20 Covington Chargers have yet to play a game at home, finding themselves 2-2 in the early going.
Covington took on nationally-ranked Olive Branch, dropping a 79-70 decision on Nov. 26.
“We had the lead late in the fourth period, but ran out of gas,” said Covington head coach Charles Mitchell.
The Chargers had three players score in double figures. Leading the attack was point guard Travontae Powell with 24 points that included a pair of 3-pointers. Brandon Alston contributed 16 points and Tyjuan Smith 13.
Still on the road at the Riverbend Classic in New Madrid, Mo., Covington picked up an 88-71 win against the host school, the Eagles of New Madrid County Central.
Covington won the opening period by nine and never trailed. .
Powell took game scoring honors with 25 points. Smith was close behind with a season-high 20 point performance. Alston added 12 to round out double figure scoring.
The road trip closed with a narrow 71-67 loss to the Charleston (Mo.) Blue Jays on Nov. 30. The Chargers held a three-point lead entering the fourth period but faded, losing the quarter 19-12.
Powell again led the team and the game with 26 points. He was aided by three more teammates who reached double figures. Smith and Tyric Winfrey scored 12 apiece and Martez Logan had 10.
CHS plays South Fulton at Martin Westview at 5:30 on Dec. 6. The friendly confines of Castellaw Gym are the destination for the home opener against Union City on Dec. 7. Brighton will be in the house on Dec. 10.
