Conehatta returns to past glory with title
By By Marty Stamper /EMG sports assistant
July 15, 2002
CHOCTAW Just when the huge overflow crowd at Choctaw Central High School's Warrior Stadium was beginning to make plans for overtime in Saturday night's championship of the 2002 World Series of Stickball, Jeremy Stevens sent them to the house.
Stevens scored from 15 yards out from left of the pole with just 35 seconds remaining to give Conehatta a 3-2 victory over the two-time defending champion Warriors. The title was Conehatta's 19th since 1959.
Conehatta defender Mark Patrick has had the experience of winning multiple championships for both of the 2002 finalists.
The Warriors have been the most dominant team of the previous 10 years, winning six championships, and amazingly jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first nine seconds of Saturday's title game. Jerithan Willis connected early to put the Warriors up by a goal.
The game appeared destined to be a high-scoring contest as tournament Most Valuable Player Yonald Willis tied the game for Conehatta less than four minutes later.
However, neither team would score again in the first half as the teams entered intermission with a 1-1 stalemate.
Conehatta lost the services of Greg Shoemake and Chris King in the first half due to ejections for major infractions.
Roddy Nickey put Conehatta up 2-1 when he scored with 3:18 left in the third quarter.
Both teams had several narrow misses until Jimmy Comby tied the game at 2-2 with a goal for the Warriors with eight minutes remaining.
Stevens then hit the game-winner with only 35 seconds left in the 60 minutes of regulation to give Conehatta its first championship since 1998.
Conehatta won the tournament from 1959-69. After Pearl River claimed the title in 1970, Conehatta again ruled from 1971-74. Mix in its championship in the 14-17 year old division this year and the Newton County team may be ready for another long reign.
Tournament notes: In the 10-13 year old division Bok Cito won the championship with Beaver Dam taking second place. Bok Cito was runner-up to Conehatta in the 14-17 year old division. Ohoyo Bihhi Ayasha (women of Pearl River) won the women's division with Bok City Ohoyo (Bogue Chitto women) taking second place. Alicia Willis of Ohoyo Bihhi Ayasha was the women's MVP. The South men won the 35-older division.
