By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
June 11, 2004
Gina Skelton is keeping Wayne County's win over Southeast Lauderdale in perspective but summer basketball or not, the Lady War Eagles coach was all smiles on Thursday.
Wayne County held Southeast Lauderdale scoreless for the first 12 minutes of the game and led by as many as 46 points during its 66-23 win at the Rush/MCC Shootout.
On Thursday, the Lady War Eagles didn't need to work the post. Wayne County's guards constantly harassed Southeast Lauderdale's ball handlers, forcing turnovers and creating fast-break opportunities.
Carrie Jones picked off a steal and sprinted down the floor for a layup with 9:30 left in the game, giving Wayne County a 46-10 lead and finishing a 22-2 run to open the second half.
Jamie Albanese broke the run for Southeast Lauderdale by draining a jumpshot with 8:20 remaining.
Wayne County's lead peaked at 66-20 after a free throw with 50 seconds to go.
Tiawana Pringle tacked on the Lady Tigers' final points with less than 10 seconds left on a three-pointer.
Deanna Powe of the Lady War Eagles posted a game-high 13 points. Lucy Ruffin led the Lady Tigers with seven points, all in the second half.
Starkville 48
SE Lauderdale 45
Southeast Lauderdale's second-half rally came up short in the first game of the day as Starkville pulled out a 48-45 win.
After trailing 28-17 at halftime, the Lady Tigers roared back. Chastisy Nichols scored 12 points in the second half and Martika Ivy added 11, accounting for almost all of Southeast Lauderdale's offense after the break. Lucy Ruffin also added a three-pointer before Starkville staved off the comeback for a three-point win.
Ivy led all scorers with 24 points, and Nichols had 13 for the game. Sinetra Bush led Starkville with 16 points.
NE Lauderdale 19
Starkville 16
Defense ruled Thursday's contest between Northeast Lauderdale and Starkville, with the Lady Trojans winning by three after allowing just six points in the second half.
Shaquita Bell led all scorers with seven points for the Lady Trojans, who trailed 10-6 at halftime. Todesha Clayton scored all six of her points in the second half for Northeast Lauderdale.
Sinetra Bush scored a team-high six points for Starkville.
NE Lauderdale 45
Greene County 25
Shaquita Bell scored a game-high 24 points, including 17 in the second half in Northeast Lauderdale's 45-25 win over Greene County.
The Lady Trojans led 22-15 at halftime and clamped down on Greene County in the second half, allowing only 10 points.
Wayne County 53
Bay Springs 44
Wayne County rallied from a two-point halftime deficit to topple Bay Springs 53-44.
Deanna Powe poured in 13 second-half points for the Lady War Eagles to finish with a game-high 16.
Bay Springs 32
Greene County 31
Jasmine Payne scored 12 points for Bay Springs to lead her team to a 32-31 win over Greene County.
Xavierra Ward scored all 10 of her points in the first half for Bay Springs, which led 18-13 at halftime.
Kaneshia Mills tallied a team-best nine points for Greene County.