By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Dec. 27, 2002
NANIH WAIYA Despite their close proximity, the only time the girls' basketball teams from Newton County and Union will meet this season was Thursday in the opening round of the Nanih Waiya Christmas Tournament.
A 14-0 run in the third quarter propelled Newton County to a 61-47 victory, giving the Lady Cougars bragging rights for this year.
The Lady Cougars led 15-6 after one quarter before Union used three straight steals to close to within 20-15. The Lady Jackets rallied to within 22-20 before Newton County took a 28-22 advantage into halftime.
Union closed the gap to 28-27 with 6:40 left in the third quarter before Newton County responded with a 14-0 run to go up 42-27.
Newton County, 10-4, also got nine points from Dominique Mapp and eight from Yuvonne Kidd.
Union, 6-4, got 12 points from LaSaundra Harrison, 10 from Lauren White, nine from Marley Smith, and eight from Megan Tidwell.
Union faces Louisville at 1 p.m. in today's opener, while Newton County takes on Philadelphia at 3:30. Other games have Noxapater playing Weir at 2:15 and Nanih Waiya hosting Neshoba Central at 4:45.
Philadelphia 53
Louisville 26
The Lady Tornadoes pulled off their most impressive win of the season with authority as they beat Louisville by 27 points. Louisville beat Philadelphia 50-41 on Nov. 19.
Philadelphia led 12-5 after one quarter Thursday afternoon and took a 22-16 lead into halftime. Leading 25-18, the Lady Tornadoes scored 17 unanswered points to go up 42-18 early in the fourth quarter.
Shutting down Louisville's Danetra Forrest was a key for Philadelphia as she scored only 11 points often against a triple team.
Latisha Johnson scored 14 points to lead Philadelphia, 3-8. Ashley Lowery hit three 3-pointers in scoring 13 points. Brittney Grace scored 10, Shanese Hunter added nine, and Myia Henson tossed in seven.
Louisville, 10-3, also got eight points from Erica Hardin and five from LaTasha Hickman.
Nanih Waiya 62
Noxapater 12
The Lady Warriors used their press to lead 23-2 after one quarter with Cynthia Madison and Heather Steele both scoring six points and Christy Hickman adding five.
Nanih Waiya carried a 39-9 advantage into halftime and held Noxapater scoreless for the first 14 minutes and 27 seconds of the second half before Larita Bates canned a free throw with 1:33 remaining.
Nanih Waiya, 4-5, got 13 points from Madison, nine each from Steele and Ashley Pugh, eight from Hickman, and six from Brandi Nicholson.
Bates and Leandra Tubby both had five points for Noxapater.
Neshoba Central 75
Weir 38
The Lady Rockets grabbed a 17-6 first quarter lead and stretched out to a 39-21 halftime advantage in whipping Weir.
In winning their sixth consecutive game, Neshoba Central, 6-8, got 13 points from India Backstrom, 12 from Jessica Pisarik, 11 from Anika Carter, nine from Trish Tahahwah, and eight from Joni Willis.
Weir, 2-4, got 16 points from Pamela Williams and 11 from Shaquita Kirkwood.