By By Steve Swogetinsky/Special to The Star
Jan. 24, 2001
QUITMAN In a game that wasn't over until it was over, the Wayne County War Eagles scored a couple of quick baskets in the last 10 seconds of overtime to claim a 53-48 victory over the Quitman Panthers.
Actually, the final score proved to be the biggest lead either team had all night.
The game was knotted at 44-all after regulation play and the teams went into a four-minute overtime period.
Wayne County controlled the tip and went into a freeze. The War Eagles patiently worked the ball in, and Rayford Everett scored with 3:05 left to put his team up 46-44. The War Eagles added a couple of free throws over the next minute and held a 48-44 edge.
Quitman had its chances in the final two minutes. But the Panthers missed five-of-six free throw tries and Wayne County led 48-45 with less than 40 seconds left on the clock.
The Panthers still were not ready to give it up and Corey Carpenter sank a three-point shot with less than 15 seconds left to bring his team within one point, 49-48. But then Wayne County exploded for two quick shots from Quentin Mayfield and Everett to decide the issue.
Wayne County upped its record to 19-2 while Quitman fell to 11-10 on the season.
Wayne County held a 14-12 edge after the first quarter, but Quitman came back in the second stanza to outpoint the War Eagles 13-9, and held a 25-23 halftime lead. Wayne County held a 13-11 scoring edge during the third stanza to tie the game at 36-all. Both teams scored eight points in the fourth quarter to leave the score knotted at 44-all.
Dietric Slater scored 23 points to lead Wayne County while Everett added 14. Renaldo McKenzie's 15 points paced the Panthers while David Laphand scored 12.
This was the third meeting between the two teams. Two of the games went into overtime but the War Eagles won all three.
Both teams have key division games coming up. The War Eagles, currently 4-0 in Division 5-5A play, host Northwest Rankin Friday night and entertain the Meridian Wildcats on Feb. 6.
Quitman, meanwhile, plays its final Division 5-4A game at home Friday night against Laurel. A Quitman victory coupled with a Mendenhall win over South Jones would put Quitman in the first place slot of the upcoming division tournament.
Wayne County girls 59, Quitman 45: The Lady Panthers of Quitman were thinking upset as they jumped out to a 16-12 lead in the first quarter. But the Lady War Eagles, now 19-3, outscored Quitman 18-7 during the second stanza and led 30-23 at the intermission.
Wayne County increased its lead during the third quarter, outscoring QHS 13-7 during the eight minute span to lead 43-30. The Lady War Eagles scored 16 during the final period while QHS put in 15.
Carla Bartee scored 19 points to lead Wayne County while Arletha Bartee added nine. Kemonica McGee scored 19 to pace Quitman and Vena Ward added nine.