By By Rocky Higginbotham/The Meridian Star
Feb. 24, 2001
COLUMBIA Newton High School girls' basketball coach Arthur Carter felt confident about his team's chances in this weekend's Class 2A South State Girls Tournament.
Therefore, it's easy to understand why Carter will head back to East Marion today with plenty of concern.
Newton, despite a fast start, dropped a 63-52 decision to West Lowndes in Friday night's opener. That means the Lady Tigers must now face the host Lady Eagles, as East Marion fell to Bay Springs Friday.
Newton led by five after one quarter and was still up 27-24 at halftime. But West Lowndes got rolling in the third quarter when the Lady Panthers put up 20 points and the Lady Tigers wound up getting outscored 39-24 in the second half.
Carter attributed his team's defeat more to not being ready than its youthfulness.
Newton lost despite 24 points from Lenore Gray. Kotreece Bender pumped in 11 points, while Twila Clayton scored six and Creoshia Williams five.
West Lowndes put three players in double figures.
The Lady Panthers take on 26-10 Bay Springs in tonight's final, while Newton faces 32-5 East Marion.
Rocky Higginbotham is the sports editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rhigginbotham@themeridianstar.com.