LITTLE CYPRESS – Utilizing a 19-0 spurt late in the third quarter and halfway into the fourth, the Hardin-Jefferson Hawks glided past the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears 79-50 in the District 22-4A opener for both squads at The Grove Friday night.

The Bears (11-11, 0-1) dug themselves an early hole against the Hawks (16-8, 1-0) by getting outscored 18-7 in the second quarter as H-J led 34-21 at halftime.

The Bears, led by Jesse Doucette and Ben Elliott, rallied all the way back to within 46-41 with 2:06 left in the third quarter. Doucette scored nine of his game-high 24 points in the third quarter.

However, the balanced Hawks tallied the last six points of the third quarter to lead 52-41 going into the fourth and then scored the first 13 points of the final quarter to seal it.

R.J. Sears led the Hawks with 18 points and had five rebounds. Trevon White notched 13 points and Baxter Worth had 11 points and five boards as three Hawks scored in double figures.

Post Austin Samaha had nine points and a game-high nine rebounds for the Hawks while teammate J.P. Porter contributed eight points and seven boards.

Elliott had 11 points and four rebounds for the Bears and scored eight of his points in the second half.

Jackson Smith had seven points and four rebounds for LC-M while guard Da’Marion Morris led the Bears with five rebounds.

H-J led 16-14 at the end of the first quarter as six different Hawks scored in the period.

Seven Hawks got into the scoring column in the second quarter with Sears scoring six of their points.

The Hawks finished with a 35-28 rebounding edge.

The Bears finished with 18 turnovers while H-J had 13.

The Hawks were 11-of-17 from the free-throw line while the Bears were 7-of-10.

The Bears will have a bye on Tuesday night before resuming 22-4A play Friday at Lumberton.

In other 22-4A action Friday night, the Silsbee Tigers (9-1) defeated the Bridge City Cardinals (10-12) 80-71 at Cardinal Gym. The Cardinals visit Hamshire-Fannett Tuesday night.