By By Jeff Byrd / sports editor
Jan. 13, 2003
Unbeaten Columbus got off to a strong start and then held on to beat the Meridian High Lady Wildcats 71-58 on Friday night in Columbus.
The game was the Division 2-5A opener for both teams. It also pitted the two teams that have finished as runners-up in Class 5A for the past two years.
Columbus, 17-0, took a 24-4 lead in the first quarter. It was 43-21 at halftime. The lead grew to 58-32 after three quarters before Meridian mounted a comeback to get the final margin to 13 at 71-58.
Meridian falls to 12-3 on the season.
Valencia Hairston led Meridian with 26 points. Courtney Wade had 14 and Alexis Clemons chipped in nine. Megan Mendiola added seven.
Courtney Shelton and Michelle Poindexter each pumped in 21 points to lead the Lady Falcons. Jennifer Latham had 19.
Columbus boys 75
Meridian 58
Columbus got 19 points from Charles Houston and 10 from Shannon Scott to beat Meridian 75-58 on Friday night in Columbus.
The game was the division opener for both teams. Meridian falls to 8-8 with the loss and has now lost three straight.
Columbus is 13-4 overall and 1-0 in division play.
Jason Windom led Meridian with 23 points.
Neshoba Cent. boys 60
Louisville 54
Calvin Parker led the Rockets past Louisville in a key Division 4-4A game on Friday night. The Rockets are now 13-5 overall on the season.
Neshoba Central trailed 45-40 going into the final quarter but outscored the Wildcats 20-9 in the fourth quarter to win by six.
Anthony Pickens chipped in 11 points.
Louisville got 12 points each from Ryan Hudson and Shawn Yarbrough.
Choctaw Cent. girls 75
Heidelberg 66
Choctaw Central capped a season sweep of Heidelberg with a 75-66 win on Friday night. The Lady Warriors, now 18-1, had won earlier this season at Heidelberg.
Chantay Frazier led the way with 19 points. Trish Phillips and Ashley Flint each had 16 points. Kelly Willis added 15.
Heidelberg was led by Shawana Stevens' 20 points. Catina Fowler had 19 and Princess Bender had 15.
It was 15-14, Choctaw, after one quarter. The Lady Warriors scored 25 in the second quarter to go up 40-34 at the half.. It was 60-50 after three quarters.
Williams &Sullivan 79
Clarkdale boys 57
Desmond Crayton fired in 27 points to lead the Yellow Jackets past Clarkdale on Friday.
Clarkdale was led by Shannon Haley and Brandon Mabry with 16 points apiece. Brian Tomerlin had 12 points.