By Staff
UP IN THE AIR – Lamar's Kristina Maky (23) goes up for a jump shot with Newton Academy's Casey Hall guarding her. PHOTO BY CARISA MCCAIN / THE MERIDIAN STAR
By Thomas Burton / special to The Star
Nov. 24, 2002
The Lamar School basketball teams pulled the rug out from under visiting Newton County Generals twice with the Lady Raiders winning their first game of the year 35-27 and the boys taking the final 65-55.
Keely Phillips knocked down nine of her 10 points in the third period which was complimented with an outstanding defensive play that only allowed the Generals four points.
In the boys match up, Austin Roebuck made two huge blocks in the fourth period and scored 14 points in the second half. Jace Hill had a huge night hitting a total of five three-pointers to lead the team with 19 points.
Lamar Girls 35
Newton Academy 27
The Lady Generals were led by the hot hand of Casey Hill. Hill made 12 of the 15 first half points for Newton. But Lamar adjusted defensively in the second half and she only managed to score five in the second half.
Newton tied the game with a nice pass by Tracy McMahan to Amanda Dickson that pulled the score to 13-13, with 2:47 left in the half.
The Lady Generals took their only lead of the day with 52 seconds left as Hall drained a two making the score15-14.
Once the Lady Raiders got key free throws with 25 seconds by Amanda Dickson, Lamar kept the lead for the rest of the game. She also got help by Celia Covington who finished the game with nine points.
Lamar went into the half leading 16-15.
Phillips caught a blaze in the second half leading the team to a 13-4 run that put Lamar up 29-19 heading into the fourth quarter.
Lamar boys 65
Newton Academy 55
The Raiders got off to a early start with six points by Matthew Fort. He made two three pointers leading the team with nine first period points.
Jace Hill made his case with back to back three-pointers with one at 3:25 and the other with 2:42 remaining.
Newton County didn't hold back as they contested shot to shot with three-pointers by Wil Bean who scored eight points in the first period.
Bean came thundering in the second period as he scored six straight points to help Newton tie 21-21 with 5:01 left in the second.
Lamar built up some momentum with a three-pointer by Hill but Newton's Bud Loper hit two free throws and scored on the Generals next possession.
With the clock at 3:31 Donovon Cooksey made a steal that led to a three-pointer to put Newton ahead 28-26.
Dustin McGowin hit net with 1:24 and Looper rebounded his own miss to score with 19 seconds as Newton maintained advantage at 32-31 at the half.
Lamar stroked in points early going on a 8-0 run to open up the third. Hill and Fort both launched successfully from three-point range.
Newton's Loper, Bean, and Cooksey answered with a little run of 10-2 to give the Generals a 42-41 lead with 1:22 left in the third.
Lamar got late points by Roebuck that put the Raiders out in front 45-44 to end the period.
The Raiders exploded on a 15-4 run that was led with two outstanding blocks by Roebuck and slick hustle by Haggard that kept the Generals off balanced.
For Newton, Bean tallied up 23 points but only got nine in the second half. Loper finished up with 17 total points.
The Raiders, 4-2, were led by Hill who finished up with 19 as Roebuck made 16. Haggard lent 10 points for the win and Fort ended the game with 12.
The next game for the Raiders will be December 3 at home versus East Rankin Academy.