By By Chris Whitaker/staff writer
June 16, 2002
In the stickball championship game, defending champions Beaver Dam overcame a 3-0 deficit to beat Bogue Chitto 4-3 in sudden death. Justin Willis, 12, scored the winning goal 11 minutes into the first-ever sudden death championship game.
Willis said he was just trying to make it. A physical battled ensued the whole game with players being tackled and losing the ball. At the beginning of the second half, Beaver Dam was enthused and ready to take the game over with hollers of determination coming out of the huddle.
In the third quarter, Jarron Edwards scored to cut the Bogue Chitto lead to 3-2. Edwards, 12, said he was trying to trick the opposing team into biting on his fake. Right after they did he scored. In a scoreless fourth quarter, both teams had plenty opportunities to win, but they always threw the ball over the pole.
Kyle Wilson of Beaver Dam was the aggressor in the game. Every opportunity he had, Wilson, 13, took the ball as far as he could before dropping it off to a teammate. He said he was nervous but the win felt great.
Winning coach Ladonna Willis said the game had no strategy and the win can be contributed to the players coming to practice and playing their best.
The bronze medal goes to Pearl River, who lost to Bogue Chitto 14-1 in a semifinal. In other games on Saturday, Pearl River beat Tucker 14-2 to make it to the semifinal. Bogue Chitto drew a first round bye. In the other semifinal, Beaver Dam beat Conehatta 2-1.
Stickball is the only tribal sport that allows girls to participate. This year was also the first year that teams can shoot the ball from both sides of the pole.
Barry Jim of the Choctaw tribe said they like to showcase their traditions to anyone and everyone each year in the State Games.