By By Jared Florreich/staff writer
June 28, 2003
NEWTON The Newton High School girls and boys basketball team enjoyed the friendly surrounding of their home gymnasium on Friday, as they both rolled to victories.
The Newton girls beat neighboring Lake 58-35, while The Tigers of NHS downed William Sullivan 51-44 and Lake 67-48.
Newton Girls 58
Lake Girls 35
In the first girls game of the day, the Newton Lady Tigers jumped out to an early 12-3 lead. Lake cut the Lady Tiger lead to four on two occasions, but that's as close as they would get.
The Lady Tigers, coming off a bronze medal in last year's State Games, used a stifling defense to take a 36-22 halftime lead. Their defensive effort continued in the second half, causing Lake to commit numerous turnovers that led to easy Lady Tiger buckets.
Newton sophomore point guard Chotsnay Henderson led the defensive effort with her exceptional hustle, resembling a female Allen Iverson leading the Lady Tigers to a 58-35 victory.
Head Newton basketball coach Crandal Porter was pleased with his team's effort, and attributed the effort to his four seniors from last year.
Lake's Valerie Harris led all scorers with 19 points. Tawayatha Evans had 12 to lead Newton.
Lake will take on Pillow Academy at 10:10 at Newton High and Jefferson County at 1:40 at ECCC. The Lady Tigers will face Nanih Waiya at 11:20 and Choctaw Central at 2:50 at Newton High School.
Newton boys 51
William Sullivan 44
The Tigers, bronze medal winners in last year's State Games, jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, and led at halftime 26-17.
William Sullivan could not get closer than seven in the second half, and Newton put the game out of reach down the stretch winning 51-44.
Newton's Cornelius Caraway led all scorers with 28 points.
William Sullivan plays at Newton County High School to take on Bay Springs at 11:20 a.m. today, and will travel to ECCC to face Kemper County at 5:10. Newton will face Cleveland at 1:40 and Bay Springs at 5:10 at Newton High School.
Durant boys 64
Choctaw Central 56
Durant converted clutch free throws and baskets down the stretch as they defeated Choctaw Central 64-56.
Jeremy Williams had 13 points for Durant. Jarie Anderson had a game high 14 to lead the Choctaws.
In other games, where leading scorers were not reported, Jefferson County beat East Union 73-29 and Newton downed Lake 67-48.