By Staff
DIVING FOR A LOOSE ONE Union High School's Madison Brantley and South Leake's Monique Overstreet scramble for a loose ball during Tuesday night's first-round action in the ECCC Central Mississippi Classic. Action continues through Saturday. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
Nov. 28, 2001
DECATUR The Newton County Lady Cougars opened their first-round game with Philadelphia in the East Central Community College Central Mississippi Classic Tuesday night by scoring the first 18 points.
Newton County went on to post a 77-52 victory.
Philadelphia didn't tally until Dominetrix Hunter connected from 3-point range with 2:22 left in the opening period.
The Lady Cougars carried a 38-22 lead into halftime and built a 50-26 advantage in the third quarter only to have Philadelphia close to within 56-44 to start the final period. The Lady Tornadoes would get no closer than 12 points the rest of the night.
Kristin Chaney led Newton County, 6-1, with 17 points, 12 of which came in the second half. Dominique Mapp scored 14, Phyllis Cole tossed in 13, Kristin Headrick had 10 (all of which came in the first half), Yvonne Kidd added eight, and Yolanda Johnson scored seven.
Philadelphia, 2-5, was led by Hunter's game-high 23 points, 14 of which came in the second half. Erica Clemons tossed in 13 and Shekara Young scored six. Newton County returns to action today at 4 p.m. against West Lauderdale in a battle of 6-1 teams from Division 5-3A.
Philadelphia's next game is with Sebastopol, 4-7, Thursday at 7 p.m. in an elimination matchup.
South Leake 54
Union 38
South Leake carried a 26-18 lead into halftime behind 13 points from 5-foot-10 senior Monique Overstreet and then scored the first seven points of the third quarter to grab a 33-18 advantage.
Overstreet led the unbeaten Wildkittens, 6-0, with 31 points. Brandy Earnest and Kia Alexander both added six points.
LaSaundra Harrison led Union, 1-3, with 12 points. Megan Tidwell scored nine, while Marley Smith and Curbie Buckley both had six. Madison Brantley tossed in five. The Lady Jackets made only 11-of-23 free throws.
Union faces Nanih Waiya, 3-1, Thursday at 4 p.m. in an elimination game, while South Leake returns to action today at 4 p.m. against Neshoba Central, 7-2.
Carthage 47
Noxapater 26
Carthage outscored Noxapater in all four quarters of the elimination contest.
Estrelita Harvey led Carthage with 12 points. Amanda Cook scored 10, Ashley Luckett had eight, and Chiquita Cook tossed in seven.
Lacey Sanborn led Noxapater with nine points. Deidre Triplett scored seven and Stephanie Blankenship added six.
Carthage takes on Morton Friday at 4 p.m.
Forest 56
Morton 37
Forest outscored Morton in all four quarters of their opening-round matchup.
The Lady Bearcats led 27-19 at halftime.
Forest, 4-3, got 13 points from Ebone'e Leverette, 10 from Pharen Nelson, and nine from Photasha Derrick.
Morton got eight points each from Tyneisha McDonald and Dominique Brooks and seven from Rachel Jenkins.
Forest takes on Lake tonight at 7 p.m. in a winners' bracket game, while Morton faces Carthage Friday at 4 p.m. in an elimination contest.
Marty Stamper is a writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com or call him at 693-1551, ext. 3235.