The Pleasant Home Eagles girls’ and boys’ basketball squads picked up big wins on Thursday in the opening round of the 2017 Red Level Christmas tournament.

GIRLS

PLEASANT HOME 50, ANDALUSIA 25

Pleasant Home jumped out front early and held off the Andalusia Lady Bulldogs for a 50-25 win.

The Lady Eagles got on the board first with a quick bucket from River Baldwin.

Andalusia knotted the game at 2-2 a few minutes later when Shalisa Thomas hit a pair of free throws.

The Lady Bulldogs then took a 6-4 lead before the Lady Eagles surged back to regain the lead for good.

At the end of the first period, Pleasant Home was on top 12-9.

Pleasant Home came out hot in the second period and a 3-pointer from Amy Kate Bulger put the Lady Eagles on top 23-11.

Baldwin added a couple of baskets to give the Lady Eagles a 28-11 lead at halftime.

The Pleasant Home offense continued to surge and the defense limited the Lady Bulldogs’ opportunities as the Lady Ealges stretched their lead up to 42-17 heading into the final period.

The Lady Eagles held off the Lady Bulldogs in the final period for a 50-25 win.

Baldwin led the Lady Eagles with 21 points in the win.

Thomas paced the Lady Bulldogs with seven points.

“We started off slow, but I think that had a lot to do with us being off for a week,” Pleasant Home head coach Tony Wilson said. “Right now, we are still working through this transition, but I felt like we played well in spots. Tomorrow we are going to play better overall.”

The Lady Eagles will play Carroll today, Fri., Dec. 29, at 6 p.m.

Andalusia will play Red Level today at 9 a.m.

BOYS

PLEASANT HOME 56, PIKE ROAD 20

In varsity boys’ action, the Eagles scorched the Patriots for a 56-20 victory.

The Eagles jumped out to a 7-3 lead behind a big 3-pointer from Robert Scott.

Tyler Myrick and Nick Woods tacked on buckets to help the Eagles to 14-8 lead at the end of the first period.

In the second period, Woods accounted for six points and Austin Kelley added five points to put Pleasant Home on top 27-11 heading into halftime.

Myrick knocked down a 3-pointer to start the third period and then a 3-pointer from Woods a few minutes later had the Eagles out front 40-13.

At the end of the third period, Pleasant Home was on top 50-18.

The Eagles held off the Patriots in the final frame to pick up a 56-20 victory.

“I felt like we played hard on defense and did a good job rebounding the ball,” Eagles head coach Troy Turman said. “We worked inside out on offense and that opened up some good shots for us.”

Woods led the Eagles with 13 points.

Scott tacked on 12 points for the Eagles.

Myrick earned a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Pleasant Home will face Luverne today, Fri., Dec. 29 at 7:30 p.m.