Wednesday marked the bi-annual battle of the bugs for Rhea County middle school basketball.

The Rhea Central Elementary School Lady Yellow Jackets proved the more insistant of the insects, buzzing past Dayton City School's Lady Sweatbees 28-3.

Amber Levi led Rhea Central's scoring effort, netting six points on the night, followed by teammates Sara Beth Mitchell, Chloe Purser and Megan Revis with two points apiece.

The Lady Jackets swarmed the boards as well, as Revis, Levi, Hannah Davis, Carly Carder and Makayla Keen each brought down at least five rebounds.

Dayton City School's points were scored by Kenzie Freeman and Lexi Bowman.

In boys' action, the tables turned and the Sweatbees took a 34-30 win.

The Yellow Jackets launched several comeback bids in their match with their cross-town rival, rebounding from an 11-point deficit midway through the third quarter to pull within three heading into the fourth.

The Sweatbees kept trying to distance itself, but Rhea Central would not be easily shaken, and made it a one-possession ball game with 14.8 seconds remaining.

Dayton City's Brian Harrison, who led the Bees with 12 points on the night, sank a free throw with just under nine ticks on the clock to put the hosting Sweatbees just out of reach for a four-point victory.

 The score was a far cry from the two teams' first meeting this season when DCS won 37-20.

"Tonight, three-point shots and missed free throws killed us, but the boys have improved a lot," said Doug Keylon, Rhea Central assistant coach. "We've played our best basketball here of late."

Rhea Central was led by Zach Schaeffer with six points and two blocked shots.

DCS's Jared Opperman topped thed field with 11 rebounds.

Both Dayton City and Rhea Central will compete in the Sequatchie Valley Conference Tournament this week to be held at Marion County High School. As of press time, game times were not available.

Cathy Barnes can be contacted at cathy.barnes@rheaheraldnews.com.