Bay High knocks out NEL Lady Trojans
By By Matt Barrett/staff writer
Feb. 24, 2002
POPLARVILLE The season came to an end for the Lady Trojans of Northeast Lauderdale on Saturday afternoon, as they fell to Bay High School 51-44 in the third-place game of the Class4A South State Girls Tournament played at Poplarville High School on Saturday afternoon.
The Lady Trojans fell behind Bay High early in the game 6-0. Northeast was overcome by turnovers and missed shots in the first five minutes of the game. Stegall called a time out with three minutes remaining in the quarter to regroup his team. Directly following the time out the Lady Trojans went on a nine-point run. Freshman Shaquita Bell scored the first basket for Northeast with only three minutes remaining in the quarter. Quin Jackson's bucket after a missed free throw attempt put the Lady Trojans up 9-8 with one minute remaining in the first quarter. Shalonda Jackson's free throw in the last minutes of the period put Northeast ahead 12-9 going into the second quarter.
The Lady Trojans struggled in the second quarter and were out scored 14-7. Team captain Keshia Sanders scored the first basket of the quarter for the Lady Trojans with four minutes remaining on the clock. Bell's bucket with two minutes remaining left the Lady Trojans behind 16-13. Bay High hit its stride in the last minutes of the quarter, scoring 10 answered points. Shalonda Jackson scored the final basket of the half leaving Northeast trailing 23-19 at the break.
Lady Trojan Audrea Harrison scored seven of the nine points for her team in the third period including a last second three-pointer. Harrison's first bucket came with six minutes remaining on the clock putting the Lady Trojans with in two. Northeast was out scored 14-5 in the remaining three minutes of the period.
The Lady Trojans entered the final quarter trailing 37-28. Northeast lit up the boards in the first two minutes scoring eight answered points. The Lady Trojan effort left them trailing 41-40 with Four minutes remaining. Bell stole the ball at half court going coast-to-coast for the Lady Trojans' final bucket of the night.
Bell's bucket left Northeast trailing 46-44 with less than one minute remaining. The Lady Trojans were forced to foul In the final seconds. Bay High took advantage making 5-6 free throws.
Chrystal Hopson led the Lady Trojans in scoring with 11 points. Jackson scored 10 points while Bell contributed eight.
NEL ended its season at 22-15.
