By Staff
From staff reports
Not too many matchups in the state of Mississippi looked as good on paper as the Forest and Choctaw Central girls' contest Monday night.
After all, the Lady Bearcats were the defending Class 3A state runnerup, and Choctaw Central is unbeatable at home.
Still.
Choctaw Central erupted for 31 points in the fourth quarter to break open a close game, and the Lady Warriors roped Forest 68-41.
Forest salvaged a split by winning the boys' game, 64-59.
Choctaw Central's next action is Nov. 28 at Southeast Lauderdale. Forest is also in action that same day at home against Newton.
Choctaw Central girls 68, Forest 41: The Lady Bearcats held Choctaw Central to just eight points in the first quarter, but the Lady Warriors built a nine-point edge over the next two periods before exploding for 31 points in the fourth quarter.
Crystal Lewis put in 16 points to lead all scorers, while Chantay Frazier scored 11 for the Lady Warriors. Matilda Williams added seven and Deaundra Johnson chipped in six.
Latrice Spivey and Kelly Boutwell scored 11 points each for Forest.
Forest boys 64, Choctaw Central 59: The slumping Warriors fell to 0-4 on the season after they came up short in a rally Monday against Forest.
The visiting Bearcats eased out to a 9-6 lead after one quarter and stretched that advantage to 48-38 heading into the final period of play before Choctaw Central rallied.
Charles Rhodes pumped in a game-high 21 points to lead Forest, which also got 17 points from Paul Brown.
Choctaw Central was led by Giovann Dixon's 17 points. Deon Lewis chipped in 10.
Kemper Academy girls 31, Central Academy 24: The Lady Rams won a crazy contest in this Academy 3-A division matchup at Macon.
Kemper scored just five points in the entire first half and trailed 17-5 at the break. But the Lady Rams outscored Central 26-7 in the second half to win the defensive struggle.
Jessica Harpole and Megan Whitaker scored 11 points apiece for the Lady Rams, who improved to 2-5 overall and 1-1 in division play.
Central fell to 3-7 and 0-1, despite eight points and 14 rebounds from Meagan Stokes. Margaret McClure added six points and 13 rebounds and Leslie Hancock also scored six points.
Kemper Academy boys 71, Central Academy 58: A big third-quarter helped the Rams avoid the upset against arch-rival Central at Macon.
Kemper, which is now 4-1 overall and 2-0 in division play, led just 31-24 at halftime. But the Rams exploded for 26 points in the third quarter and then held off Central and a red-hot Ken Hailey in the closing minutes.
Ty Harbour led a balanced offensive attack for KA with 16 points, while John Alan Darnell scored 10. Eddie Keaton, Matthew Darnell and Thomas Maloney all scored nine points apiece for the Rams.
Central fell to 0-7 overall and 0-1 in the division despite a career-high 41 points from Hailey. Ben Goode added six points for the Vikes, who are at Newton County Academy Monday.
Scott Central girls 66, MSD 14: The Lady Rebels had no problem Monday night with the Mississippi School for the Deaf, coasting to a 52-point win.
Scott Central, which is now 7-1, led 22-4 after one quarter of play and 40-6 at halftime.
Britney Burks led the Lady Rebels with 15 points and Katie Nickson scored 12. Marquita Anderson added eight points for Scott Central and Lakeishia Bobbitt and Anna Weaver scored six points apiece.
Scott Central returns to action Monday in the East Central Community College Tournament.