By By Richard Dark/The Meridian Star
Jan. 6, 2001
ENTERPRISE For the second straight night in the Enterprise Invitational, the late game was marred by poor officiating. Southern Choctaw held off the host Bulldogs in a game in which 50 fouls were whistled.
The Lady Indians overcame a slow start before dispensing with a young Lady Bulldog squad. The Southeast Lauderdale Lady Tigers and Northeast Trojans also notched wins in the early tilts. Tonight the tourney concludes with Northeast versus Southern Choctaw in the early games beginning at 4:30 p.m., while Enterprise and Southeast wrap it up in the evening.
Southern Choctaw boys 62, Enterprise 51: Also for the second straight night, Corey Boggan paced the home team with 27 points. EHS fell behind 20-9 after one, but climbed back into the foul-plagued contest and were down only 46-45 with 5:43 remaining.
That, coupled with foul calls at critical times prevented the Bulldogs from getting over the hump, as through much of the third and fourth periods, EHS (6-7) remained within striking distance, but could not get over the hump.
Southern Choctaw head coach Dana Thomas also took exception to the officiating.
Bryan Bester and Burrell Gandy each added eight for EHS. The Indians (10-4) got a big night from Terrell McGrew, who ate up the opposition with excellent penetration to the basket on the way to a 19-point night.
Shawn Causey chipped in with eight.
Southeast Lauderdale girls 56, Northeast Lauderdale 38: It was never close after the opening frame as Joe Miller's Lady Tigers won going away for the second straight night. Monique Horner continued to dominate, lighting it up for 28 points. Lesley Ruffin also had an strong game with 17. Samantha Smith added seven. For Dan Stegall's squad who made just 4-of-13 free throws, it was Tamara Gibbs with 10, Dorecious Powe with eight and Quin Jackson was held to seven.
Southern Choctaw Lady Indians 59, Enterprise 40: The Lady Indian starters were benched for the first quarter due to disciplinary reasons, and it translated to a quick, albeit short lived lead for EHS, who missed an opportunity to grab its third win of the season. EHS led 15-10 after one, but a runner by Monique Nichelson, who finished with 17, gave SCHS a 24-22 lead with 1:17 to go in the first half. It was a lead the Lady Indians (12-2) would not relinquish. Shaykeesha O'Neal poured in 18 and Taycia Philon hit for 11. Shonda Bester scored 12 for the Lady Bulldogs.
Northeast boys 83, Southeast 53: The Trojans pounded on the Tigers early and often and wound up cruising to the win. Ben Reed and Willie Hood each put in 10 for Southeast. Jimmy Kelly had a game-high 28 and Stephan Dyess scored 10 for the Trojans.