By By Jamie Sullivan/staff writer
Jan. 5, 2002
The Neshoba Central Rockets need one more win to claim the title of its own tournament, after a thriller 74-73 win over West Lauderdale.
In other tournament action, the Lady Rockets of Neshoba Central took a 54-42 win over Philadelphia, while the Lady Knights took a 79-36 win over the Lady Whippets of Kosciusko.
In other boys action, Philadelphia out lasted the Whippets 72-52.
The Rockets put themselves in a must win situation to win their tournament outright by defeating West Lauderdale.
After the first eight minutes of play, Neshoba Central was on top 20-17, but the action didn't stop there.
The Rockets added 14 more points to their first quarter lead, to take a 34-28 lead into halftime.
After the halftime break, the action began with big slam dunks for both teams.
Neshoba Centrals' Tawon Walker dunked over the complete Knight team late in the third quarter to put the Rockets on top 42-40. However, Calvin Moore answered the calling of Walker with a dunk of his own to knotted the score at 42 apiece.
After a 12 point run, West Lauderdale took a three point lead, as Boo Ramsey took the final shot of the third quarter with a 50-48 Knight lead.
Despite eight offensive fouls in the final quarter, Neshoba Central with held a Knight comeback to set up a interesting finish.
Tavares Walker of Neshoba Central stole the ball, and took it down the floor and hit an open three pointer to take a 51-48 lead over West Lauderdale.
With less than six minutes left in the game, Ramsey was fouled, after making a shot, and he connected with the free throw to take a 56-55 lead.
The Rockets countered with two points to take a 57-56 lead over the Knights.
Ramsey later knotted the game with a NBA range three pointer with three minutes left in the game.
Late in the game, Knight Carlos Lewis connected with a free throw to take a 70-69 Knight lead. However, Rocket forward, Desmond Jones was there to put the Rockets back on top 72-70 with two key free throws.
The Rockets stole the inbound pass, and tenth grader Anthony Jones dropped the final bucket for the Rockets to take a 74-70 lead.
Ramsey took the inbound pass, and stepped across the half court line, only to find the bottom of the net as time expired to end the game with Neshoba Central winning 74-73.
The Knights were led in scoring by Ramsey with 30, Moore 15, and Lewis added 11.
Both teams will be in action tomorrow night, when the Knights will tangle with Kosciusko., and Neshoba Central will tip off against Philadelphia.