By Staff
From staff reports
Feb. 24, 2001
The Neshoba Central Lady Rockets took advantage of a 5:21 second quarter Yazoo City scoring drought to soundly defeat the Lady Indians, 71-59, in the opening game of the Girls 4A North State Tournament Friday night.
In the second game, Raymond came from behind to defeat Noxubee County, 70-62.
With the wins, Neshoba and Raymond automatically advance to the state tournament in Jackson; however the two will face off for the North Half championship tonight following the Noxubee County and Yazoo City contest.
The Lady Rockets (27-9) jumped out to a quick 11-4 lead in the first, but Yazoo City (23-11) countered with six points with 1:31 left in the first to pull with three (13-10).
In the second quarter, Neshoba continued to pound it inside. Junior post Miranda Rosar scored 14 of her 20 points in the first half.
Yazoo City only scored eight points in the second quarter, which helped explain the perplexed look on head coach Barbara Henderson's face.
Although, Yazoo City outscored Neshoba 23-16 in the fourth, the outcome was never in doubt. Evans, the Neshoba senior point guard, stepped up and scored 23 of her 34 points in the second half.
Yazoo City was led by Aryiana Houston's 28 points and Ida Edward's 12.
Raymond 70, Noxubee County 62: Noxubee County had a nine-point lead with three minutes remaining in the third quarter, but Raymond scored 46 points in the second half to advance to the championship.
Noxubee County did not lose the lead until the Raymond's Shia Freeman completed a three-point play with :45 remaining in the third to give Raymond a 45-44 lead. Raymond scored two more points to complete its 22-point third period turnaround.
Both teams struggled from the free throw line. Noxubee made 7-19 while Raymond hit 16-32.
Freeman, who hit 10-14 freethrows, led all scorers with 23. Kristy Sanders added 15 and Marquissa Mack scored 12 for Raymond.
Erlexis Cooper led Noxubee County with 21 points, scoring only two in the fourth. Tiffany Murray and Sharenquea Rucker each added 15.
Post Miranda Rosar scored 14 points in the first half to give Neshoba a 13-10 advantage.