By By Jamie Sullivan/The Meridian Star
Dec. 9, 2001
QUITMAN The Southeast Lauderdale Tigers fell to 2-10, suffering a heartbreaking loss to Quitman 74-71.
Quitman jumped out early with a nine point run, to open the first three minutes of regulation. Southeast chiseled away at the lead, but they still suffered a 10 point setback at the halftime break, as Quitman led 45-35.
With just under two minutes left in the third quarter, Ben Reed hit two consecutive three point shots, to take the lead for the Tigers 64-59.
The game then went back and worth with both teams answering each others score.
Southeast Lauderdale fouled Quitman with just under a minute left in the game. The Panthers knocked down the two free throws, and took a three point led.
However, Reed pulled out some magic, as he connected with his seventh three pointer of the night as they tied the Panthers at 71-71.
With less than :12 left on the clock, Quitman went back down the floor, and Roderick Laphand became the team hero.
Laphand hit a three pointer at the buzzer to take a 74-71 win over the Southeast Lauderdale Tigers.
As the shot hit the bottom of the net, the Quitman bench erupted. "They just tackled me, it felt great though," Laphand said. "It was the best feeling of my life."
After the game, Southeast head coach Ryan Miller had no regrets about the way he ran his team.
Although the Tigers lost, Reed hit a milestone in his career, as he tossed in 45 points for the Tigers. Windham Campbell added 12 for the Tigers.
The Panthers were led in scoring by Lorenzo White with 28, and McCormick with 12.
Southeast will entertain Newton County on Tuesday, while the 3-7 Panthers will travel to Meridian on Thursday for the Frazier-Yarborough Tourney.
Southeast Girls 62
Quitman 44
The Southeast Lauderdale Lady Tigers picked up their 10th win of the season, knocking off Quitman 62-44.
The Lady Panthers matched the 10 points put up in the first quarter by the Lady Tigers; however, they could not match the 23 the Lady Tigers added in the second quarter.
The Lady Tigers carried a 23-20 lead into the locker room at halftime. They then scored 21 more in the third to put the game away.
Quitman head coach Judy Morgan said, "It's a mystery. They [Southeast] hit two three pointers on us, and we didn't answer their run."
The Lady Tigers were led in scoring by Lesley Ruffin and Samantha Smith with 19.
The Lady Panther were led in scoring by Evay Blanks with 13.
The 9-3 Southeast Lady Tigers will entertain Newton County on Tuesday while the 2-9 Lady Panthers will travel to Meridian on Thursday for the Frazier-Yarborough Tourney.
Jamie Sullivan is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. Email him at jsullivan@themeridianstar.com, or call 693-1551, ext. 3226.