By By Scott Walters/Special to The Star
Feb. 13, 2002
LAUREL No last-second scares took place Tuesday night in the Division 5-4A Tournament. The Northeast Lauderdale girls and Northeast Jones boys rolled to amazingly easy victories.
The second-seeded Lady Trojans eliminated seventh-seeded Magee 57-36. The second-seeded Tigers eliminated seventh-seeded Florence 64-45.
Tournament play resumes with four games today. At 4 p.m., the fourth-seeded Northeast Jones girls play No. 5 Florence. At 5:30 p.m., the third-seeded Quitman boys play No. No. 6 Magee. At 7 p.m., the third-seeded Mendenhall girls play No. 6 Quitman. At 8:30 p.m., the fourth-seeded Mendenhall boys play No. 5 West Jones.
Tuesday night's winners advance to Thursday night's semifinal round. Each teams needs one more win to qualify for the Class 4A South State playoffs.
NELauderdale girls 57
Magee 36
The Northeast Lauderdale Lady Trojans had little trouble completing the season sweep of Magee. Northeast scored the game's first eight points and eventually opened the contest with a 14-2 run.
The inside play of Shaquita Bell and outside play of Crystal Hopson allowed the Lady Trojans to open a 22-10 advantage after one quarter.
Northeast opened the second quarter on a 6-2 run and later led 35-15 at halftime.
The Lady Trojans used a suffocating defense and strong outside shooting to keep Magee from rallying.
For Northeast, 19-13, Bell finished with 21 points, Quin Jackson had 17, and Hopson had 12.
NE Jones boys 64
Florence 45
Northeast Jones held a 19-8 advantage at halftime. The Tigers then found their typical second-half rhythm, rolling off 31 third-quarter points and cruising from there.
During the 31-point outburst, the Tigers rattled home seven 3-point baskets, including three by Josh Johnson and a pair by Kevin Ducksworth.
The Tigers opened a 50-22 lead after three quarters. Northeast also scored the first two baskets of the final stanza to stretch the lead to the game's largest, at 54-22.
Johnson finished with a game-high 15 points for the tournament hosts. Also for Northeast Jones, 18-11, Ducksworth added 12 points and Julius McGruder scored 10.
For Florence, 5-22, Jason Thomas led the way with 12 points.
Northeast Jones will meet either Quitman or Magee in an 8:30 p.m. semifinal Thursday.