By Staff
BASKETBALL ACTION To the left, Warren Central's D. Stamper battles against Southeast Lauderdale's Lamar Crowell and Alex West. State. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
June 27, 2003
DECATUR The final game of the day at the Newton County High School gym didn't begin in the prettiest of fashions, but the ending more than made up for some rough play in the first half on Thursday.
Jefferson County's Anthony Chambliss scored his lone field goal of the second half on a putback with two ticks left on the clock to notch a 48-46 win over Choctaw Central in the opening round of boys' play at the State Games of Mississippi.
Chambliss' game-winning shot broke a 46-point tie that seemed destined to go to overtime following Eric Hickman's game-tying layup with 30 seconds left in the contest.
The last second shots capped a half in which the two teams combined to score 52 points on 37 total shots from floor, after the two squads hoisted up 44 shots in the first half for a combined total of 42 points.
The player who stepped up the biggest at the foul line for the Tigers of Jefferson County was also the biggest player on the floor.
Anthony Davis, who didn't enter the game for Jefferson County until five minutes remained in the game, nailed 3-of-4 free throws to keep the Warriors of Choctaw Central at bay.
Chris Corradine racked up 15 points for Jefferson County in the win, and Josh Nichols added seven.
Sean Ashpanek tallied a game-high 18 points for Choctaw Central, and Eric Hickman added eight.
Newton County boys 61
West Oktibbeha 42
In the second game of the day featuring the Newton County Cougars and West Oktibbeha Rebels, the Tigers jumped out of the gates early, draining three shots from behind the arc for a 9-2 advantage two minutes into the opening half.
Newton County finished the game going inside, as low-post player James Broach collected 11 points going a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor on the blocks.
Broach finished the game with 12 points, and Ricardo Alcantor also tallied 12 for the Cougars.
Dusty Bass led West Oktibbeha's offense with 10 points, and Chase Davis added nine.
Newton County girls 46
Jefferson County 33
The Newton County Lady Cougars notched a win in the opening game of the day at their home gym over Jefferson County.
Dominique Mapp led the way for Newton County scoring 15 points, and Andrea DeBose and Neisha Ramson each tallied eight points in the win.
Donald Shortesi scored 10 points to pace Jefferson County's offense, and Ayseha Fountain added nine.
The Newton County boys' squad opens a slate of five games today at its home gym at 10:10 a.m.