They took two very different routes to win, but the Natchitoches Central basketball teams sent the home crowd out happy Tuesday night in District 1-5A competition.

The NCHS girls won a nailbiter 43-40 over Benton, while the boys blew away the visiting Tigers 60-30.

The Lady Chiefs took down the Lady Tigers in a phenomenal basketball game. A defensive struggle for most of the game left the score tied at 36 heading into the fourth period. In the tense final eight minutes, NCHS outscored the visitors 7-4 to secure the victory.

The NCHS girls have won three district games in a row, improving their district mark to 3-2 and their overall record to 11-8 on the season. The Lady Chiefs were led by Makayla Gallien, who scored 11 points. Alyssa Chandler contributed 10 points. ReRe Bowers chipped in with 8 points and 8 assists, and Morgan LaCour had 5 blocks.

In the boys blowout, NCHS improved its district record to 3-0 and the overall mark rose to 13-3. The Chiefs took a 32-10 lead into halftime after dominating on defense, and didn’t let up. The winners allowed just 4 points in the third quarter.

Daylin Davis had a 15-point night with 9 rebounds, Devin Helaire scored 13 points, snatched 9 rebounds, and had 4 steals.

The Chiefs held Benton to 28 percent aim from the field and forced 26 turnovers. The Chiefs were able to get many younger players into the game during the fourth quarter.

The NCHS squads will play at home again Friday night against Haughton in another district doubleheader. The Lady Chiefs will start the action at 6, followed by the boys tipping at 7:30.

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