By By Cassie Chance/The Meridian Star
Saturday, December 2, 2000
After losing to county rival Northeast Lauderdale by one point earlier in the year, the Southeast Lauderdale Lady Tigers were looking to settle the score against the Lady Trojans Friday night at Meridian Community College.
They did just that, as the Southeast girls knocked off Northeast 65-54.
Northeast won the boys' game 69-53.
In the girls' contest, Southeast jumped out to an early 17-11 lead at the end of the first quarter with the help of the three-point shots by Lesley Ruffin.
However, the Lady Trojans came back in the second quarter, going on a 9-0 run to take a 20-17 lead with 6:12 left in the first half. The Lady Tigers bounced back for a 31-26 advantage at halftime.
With 4:59 left in the third quarter, the Lady Trojans took the lead on a Quin Jackson layup. Horner and Erika Ruffin nailed three three-pointers to give the Lady Tigers a 42-36 lead at the end of the quarter.
Southeast outscored Northeast 23-18 in the fourth quarter, holding off the Lady Trojans.
Horner led the Lady Tigers with 32 points, with 13 of those coming from the free throw line. Lesley Ruffin netted 14, while Kim Carter contributed with seven. Erika Ruffin and Kenitta Cooley had six points apiece.
The Lady Trojans were led by Jackson's 20 points. Dorecious Powe contributed 15.
Northeast (5-5) will travel to Laurel next Friday, when the Lady Trojans open the Division 5-4A slate.
Southeast's next game scheduled for Tuesday against Union has been postponed until Dec. 14 due to state testing.
Northeast boys 69, Southeast 53: It took three quarters for the Northeast Trojans to pull away with a lead against a pesky Southeast team.
The Tigers started the game with a 5-2 lead, only to see Northeast rally to go up 19-15 at the end of the first quarter.
Southeast answered in the second quarter with baskets from Anthony Horner, Doug Rowe and Willie Hood. Their efforts helped the Tigers outscore the Trojans 21-18 in the second quarter, as SEL pulled to within 37-36 at halftime.
There were two minutes gone in the third quarter before the Trojans pulled away by going on a 18-0 run.
Southeast's lone fourth quarter points came from Jonathan Russell and Robert Hopson, who both scored with less than three minutes left in the game.
Northeast coach Lewis Lightsey credited his team for its effort.
The Tigers were led by Horner's 29 points. Rowe scored 10 for Southeast, which takes on Velma Jackson Friday.
Jimmy Kelly netted 22 for the 6-2 Trojans, while Naylor scored 10.