Miller Grove's Chrystal Ezechukwu shoots against Stephenson's Miracle Gray. Ezechukwu had 15 points and 21 rebounds in the upset of the No. 6 ranked Lady Jaguars. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Miller Grove’s Chrystal Ezechukwu (32) shoots against Stephenson’s Miracle Gray. Ezechukwu had 15 points and 21 rebounds in the upset of the No. 6 ranked Lady Jaguars. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Region basketball action is underway early this season as Miller Grove played unkind hosts to Region 6-5A rival Stephenson with a sweep of their girls’/boys’ doubleheader on Tuesday night at Miller Grove.

A see-saw game between the Miller Grove Lady Wolverines (2-0) and the No. 6 ranked Stephenson Lady Jaguars (1-1) turned into a 54-44, double digit victory for the home team as the Lady Wolverines used an 18-0 run to open the fourth quarter to take control of the game.

The defending Class 5A champions Lady Jaguars rallied from a seven point deficit (27-20) early in the third quarter to take a 32-29 lead into the final quarter behind baskets from Unique Cotton and Miracle Gray.

Miller Grove’s Marguerite McGill opened the third quarter and the 18-0 run with an offensive rebound and put back and Takeshia Williams followed with a drive to the basket to put Miller Grove ahead for good at 33-32 with 6:43 to play.

Williams would go on to score four more points (all free throws) and Alexia Strong would add four along with Kiana Muse as the lead expanded to 47-32 with 4:00 left on the clock.

Gray would take over the game for Stephenson scoring 10 of her 17 points, including a three-pointer with 1:20 to play, to pull the Lady Jaguars within 53-44, but it would be as close as they could get the rest of the game.

Chrystal Ezechukwu, who had a pair of baskets to end the first half to give Miller Grove a 23-19 lead at the break, finished the night with 15 points and 21 rebounds. Kiana Muse finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds to team with Ezechukwu to pull down 33 of Miller Grove’s 48 rebounds in the game.

Stephenson’s Gray was the game-high scorer with 17 points.

Miller Grove's Alterique Gilbert (3), who just signed with UConn, drives against Stephenson's Stephen Crane (32). (Photo by Mark Brock)

Miller Grove’s Alterique Gilbert (3), who just signed with UConn, drives against Stephenson’s Stephen Crane (32). (Photo by Mark Brock)

(B) Miller Grove 77, Stephenson 44
Aidan Saunders scored a game-high 17 points as five Wolverines hit double figures to help propel Miller Grove to a 77-44 victory over the Stephenson Jaguars.

Coach Rasul Chester returned to Miller Grove for the first time since taking the Stephenson head job this year after serving as assistant coach under Miller Grove’s Sharman White for several years.

Chester’s team looked game early taking a 6-5 lead on Daniel Alford’s jumper with 5:23 to play in the first quarter.

Saunders scored seven points as part of a 13-2 run with a driving layup, an old fashioned three-point play and a steal for an easy bucket as the Wolverines took control at 18-8 with 2:35 left in the first quarter.

Joshua Jackmon opened the second period with two quick baskets and Austin Augustin drove to the basket twice as the Wolverines (2-0) extended the 22-13 first quarter lead to 32-16 with 4:52 to play in the first half.

Alford hit a pair of quick baskets to cut the lead to 38-26 before Jackmon drove and scored as time ran out in the first half for a 40-26 Miller Grove advantage.

Senior Raylon Richardson scored seven of the first nine Miller Grove points to open the second half as the Wolverines began to take command of the game. Richardson’s big start to the second half was part of a 21-2 run that included four more points from Jackmon and a dunk from Saunders.

Leading 65-24 heading into the fourth quarter, Saunders continued his attack to the basket with four points in the first seven by the Wolverines as the lead was extended to 72-34 with 4:03 to play.

Joining Saunders in double figures for Miller Grove were Raylon Richards (14 points, 7 rebounds), Joshua Jackmon (14 points, 9 rebounds), Aaron Augustin (13 points) and Alterique Gilbert (12 points).

Jamir Chaplin led Stephenson with 11 points and Daniel Alford finished with 10 for the Jaguars (1-1).

DEKALB CO. BASKETBALL RESULTS
REPORTED SCORES
Tuesday, Nov. 17
Boys
St Pius X 60, Arabia Mountain 53
Chamblee 75, Cross Keys 53
Meadowcreek 69, Clarkston 54
Columbia 46, Stone Mountain 32
Duluth 71, Druid Hills 45
Lithonia 66, at Marist 46
Miller Grove 77, Stephenson 44
Grady 78, Redan 77

Girls
Marist 75, Lithonia 14
Miller Grove 54, Stephenson 44
Arabia Mountain 34, St. Pius 26
Chamblee 54, Cross Keys 17
Duluth 62, Druid Hills 23
Meadowcreek 48, Clarkston 33