By By Jeff Byrd / sports editor
Jan. 3, 2003
ENTERPRISE The long Christmas break did little to cool off the Southeast Lauderdale Lady Tigers.
Coach Joe Miller's team opened the 2003 portion of its schedule by getting off to another fast start scoring 27 points in the opening quarter against Scott Central here in the first day of the Enterprise New Year's Tournament on Thursday.
Lady Tiger guard LaShondra Hall cranked out 11 points including nine off three, three-pointers to ignite Southeast on a 27-8 tear. The Lady Tigers cruised from there taking an easy 66-40 victory.
Next comes a bigger challenge when one of the Gulf Coast's top teams pays a visit to the Enterprise Tournament when Long Beach comes in. The Lady Bearcats, 14-1, will play two games today starting with a noon tilt with Scott Central who is now 7-9 after the loss to Southeast on Thursday.
The marquee match-up of the tourament is set for 6:30 p.m. when Long Beach takes on Southeast who is now 12-3 on the year.
Miller says he is looking forward to playing Long Beach.
Long Beach, who currently leads Division 8-5A which includes 11-time state champion Harrison Central, is paced by senior Latoya Carson. Carson has signed with Tulane University and leads the coast region in scoring at 24.4 points per game and is pulling down 8.6 rebounds.
Mari Kennedy and Dolocia McClora add strength inside with 15.3 boards per game between them.
Scott Central head coach Chad Harrison said the Lady Tigers' hot start was too much.
Hall hit 4-of-5 shots in the opening stanza. Erika Ruffin also had a three-pointer to give Southeast four in the frame. The long-range shooting opened up things for post player Stacy Tate in the second stanza.
Tate registered three field goals and two free throws to account for eight of her game high 18 points. Southeast extended its lead to 37-14. They then used an 8-2 run to close out the half to go up 45-16.
Scott Central played better in the second half and actually outscored Southeast in the third quarter and fourth quarters to make the final 66-40.
Samantha Smith ended with nine points while Shalonda Mitchell chipped in eight.
Latasha Johnson led Scott Central with 10 points. Quarnitra Murray, and Tameshia Butler each had eight.
Stringer boys 73
Enterprise 49
Enterprise pulled to within one point near the end of the first half at 29-28 but could not muster much offense in the second half, only scoring 18 points.
The visiting Red Devils got hot getting 15 second half points from Rodney McDonald. Stringer went on to post the 73-49 victory.
Thomas Parker added 15 points and Derrick Cook chipped in 14 for Stringer who will play Clarkdale today at 4:30 p.m. in its second tournament game.
Enterprise was led by Patrick McLaughin with 20 points. Michael Clark chipped in 11 and Scott Mosely had nine.
Stringer girls 45
Enterprise 44
Stringer outscored the Lady Bulldogs 14-8 in the final quarter to pull out a 45-44 win. The loss spoiled the opening game for Enterprise in its own Holiday Tournament.
Alphaka Moore led Stringer with 21 points including seven in the fourth quarter. Amelia Williams chipped in 12.
Shonda Bester led Enterprise with 14 points and Kacey Jimmerson added nine while Jessica Gray had eight.
Enterprise led 26-25 at the half. They then went up 36-31 after three quarters.