By By Jamey Lanier/The Meridian Star
Dec. 20, 2000
If the Arkansas Razorbacks forget how to run a full-court press, all they'll need do is hook up with Choctaw Central's girls' basketball coach Willis Tullos for some lessons, as the Lady Warriors know how to use the press to perfection.
Tullos saw his team press the Newton Lady Tigers into submission Tuesday night to the tune of a 65-46 win.
Newton, which started the game with two starters riding the pine due to disciplinary reasons, fell behind early and was thrown off-tempo as the game played out and coach Arthur Carter's talented Lady Tigers could only get within nine of the quick Choctaw Central squad.
The Newton boys took the nightcap 66-54.
Choctaw Central girls 64, Newton 46: The Lady Warriors outscored Newton 25-8 in the first quarter behind the strong shooting of Melinda Ben and the all around play of eighth grader Chantay Frazier.
Both teams swapped baskets early on in the second quarter before Choctaw Central sandwiched four baskets around a three-pointer by Newtons's Creosha Williams to take a 38-17 lead into the locker room.
The Lady Tigers came out smoking in the third quarter and reeled off an 18-6 run to cut the lead to 44-35 with 2:10 left in the quarter with Kotreece Bender and Williams hitting big shots for Newton.
Choctaw Central closed the door in the fourth quarter as it outscored Newton 15-7 to coast to the victory.
Frazier led all scorers with 21 points, followed by teammates Crystal Lewis with 16 and Deaundrea Johnson's 10 for the Lady Warriors, who improved to 12-2.
Newton, which falls to 8-8 on the year, was led by Williams with 19 and Bender with 14.
Newton boys 66, Choctaw Central 54: Newton coach Ed McGowan saw his team get beat on the boards the last few games and as the veteran coach said "We spoke to them about it in practice."
It paid off Tuesday, as the Tigers snatched a season-high 48 rebounds on the night to knock off the Warriors.
Aside from good rebounding, the Tigers showed some good ball-handling and team passing.
Choctaw Central head coach Walter Wilson saw his team give a good effort but not enough to handle the strong Newton squad.
Newton jumped out to a 25-18 lead after one quarter with Demarrio Qualls and Terrell Edwards playing Mr. Outside and Mr. Inside. Qualls nailed two from three-point land and Edwards got six tough points in the paint to pace the Tigers.
Choctaw Central started to turn up the defense in the second period, and converted three Tiger turnovers into six points to edge closer to Newton, 35-27 at the half.
Newton reeled off a 9-2 run to start the third quarter and overcame poor free-throw shooting to stretch the lead in the fourth and nail down the victory.
Newton, which upped its record to 11-3, had four players hit for double figures. Qualls led all scorers with 19, followed by Edwards and Bobby Lindsay with 14 apiece and Lance Pruitt with 10.
Devon Jim led the Warriors, who fell to 3-10 on the year, with 10 points.