By By Jamie Sullivan/The Meridian Star
Dec. 29, 2001
The Louisville Lady Wildcats ruined the Nanih Waiya Lady Warriors chance for an appearance in their First Annual Christmas Invitational championship game to be played today, as they knocked off the Lady Warriors 53-37.
In other tournament action, Newton County knocked off Union 55-39, Newton County advanced to the championship game Saturday, while Union will tangle with Nanih Waiya. Kemper County defeated Montgomery County 67-26, they will be in action again Saturday as well, as Kemper County will play Weir, and Montgomery County will tip-off against Noxapater. Finally, Noxapater defeated Weir 54-51.
The Lady Wildcats got 45 points from Danetra Forrest en route to a 53-37 win over Nanih Waiya.
Forrest scored all 25 points in the first half for the Lady Wildcats. The first player to score for the Lady Wildcats other than Forrest came with just under fourteen minutes left in the game.
The Lady Warriors held their own, as they outscored Louisville 13-9 in the first quarter. But it was in the second quarter when Louisville lit up. The Lady Wildcats dropped 10 early points on the Lady Warriors in the second quarter, as they managed to outscore the Lady Warriors 16-11, for a 25-24 halftime lead.
The game went back and forth in the third quarter, but Louisville blew the doors off in the fourth quarter by outscoring the Lady Warriors 13-1.
Ashley Pugh lead the Lady Warriors in scoring with 14 points.
Newton County 55
Union 39
Kristen Chaney helped propel her the Newton County Lady Cougars over The Lady Yellow Jackets of Union Friday night by a 55-39 final decision.
Chaney led the team in scoring, as she dropped 17 points for the Lady Cougars, while earning opposing respect from opposing coaches.
Reeves was asked to rate Chaney on a 1-10 scale, with ten being the best, and one the worst.
Chaney credits her teammates for her all her points.
While gaining respect of other coaches, Chaney has respect for Union head coach Brandi Reeves as well.
Union held close to the Lady Cougars, as they scored on six points apiece in the first quarter, but in the second quarter things were different.
Newton County added 21 points to its lead to hoist a 45-24 halftime lead.
The Lady Cougars added 18 more in the third period to make the score 45-24.
Finally in the fourth period Union outscored Newton County 15-10, however that wasn't enough, as the Lady Cougars advanced to the championship game to be held today against Louisville.
Noxapater 54
Weir 51
Weir jumped out to an early 12-8 lead, but they could not hang on, as Noxapater defeated them 54-51 Friday afternoon at Nanih Waiya.
The Lady Lions carried a 26-20 lead into the lockerroom at halftime, but they could not shut down the Noxapater offense in the second half.
The Lady Tigers dropped 13 points in the third quarter compared to two points for the Lady Lions.
In the final period, Weir scored 23 points compared to 21 points for the Lady Tigers, however that was not enough for the win.
Noxapater was led in scoring by Deidre Triplett with 19 points, Krstle hunter added 17, and Stephanie Blankenship added 12 points.
The Lady Lions were led in scoring by Pamela Williams with 13 points, and Krystal Hannah added 10.
Noxapater will tangle with Kemper County today at 1:00, while Weir will tipoff against Montgomery County at 2:15.
Kemper County 67
Montgomery County 26
Kemper County rolled past Montgomery County Friday by a final score of 67-26.
The Lady Wildcats outscored the Lady Hornets 20-4 in the first quarter, to roll on to an easy victory.
The Lady Wildcats lead the contest 36-12 at halftime, as they came out and added 31 more points in the final two periods for the win.
Montgomery County was led in scoring by Crystal Gholston with 18 points.
The Lady Wildcats were led in scoring by Monique Mosley with 16 points.
Montgomery County will play Weir today at 2:15, while Kemper County will entertain Noxapater today at 1:00.
Jamie Sullivan is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. Email him at jsullivan@themeridianstar.com, or call 693-1551, ext. 3226.