Choctaw Classic features another strong field

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Oct. 31, 2002
Area basketball gets under way Saturday, at least for the girls, with eight games on tap in the sixth-annual Choctaw Classic at Choctaw Central High School.
Two state runners-up and two other teams that made the 2002 MHSAA State Tournament will participate.
West Lauderdale, 33-5 and the Class 3A state runner-up last spring, faces Meridian, 15-13, at 7 p.m. The Lady Knights enter the season ranked No. 10 by The Clarion-Ledger.
Columbus, 30-6 and the Class 5A state runner-up of a year ago, takes on Class 5A state semifinalist Wayne County, 33-2, at 5:30 p.m. Columbus upset the 2002 5A South State champions 43-33 in the semifinals of the state tournament. Wayne County is currently ranked No. 2, while Columbus is No. 6.
Hancock, 25-11 and a Class 5A state quarterfinalist from 2002, meets the host Lady Warriors of Choctaw Central, 24-6 last year, at 8:30 p.m. The Lady Hawks of Hancock are ranked No. 1 in the state.
Action begins at 10 a.m. with No. 14 Louisville, 19-13 a year ago, taking on West Lowndes. At 11:30 a.m., Newton County, coming off a 13-13 season, plays Kosciusko. At 1 p.m., South Leake, 20-6, squares off with Velma Jackson.
Southeast Lauderdale, 24-9 last year, faces Terry at 2:30 p.m. Forest plays Yazoo County at 4 p.m.