By By Cassie Chance/The Meridian Star
Jan. 3, 2001
After losing to the Quitman Panthers by only three points in overtime earlier in the year, the Northeast Lauderdale Trojans were looking to pick up a key win in division 5-4A on Tuesday night.
However, the Panthers were looking to remain perfect in division play. They did just that by taking a 55-48 victory.
The game began as a defensive battle as both teams were unable to score until almost three minutes into the quarter. With 3:39 left in the quarter, Marcus McCormick put the Panthers back in the game. From there, Quitman went on a 5-0 run to take a 10-3 lead at the end of the first.
The second quarter also proved to be much of a defensive battle, as the lead changed many times. Northeast, however, got key shots from Jamaal Martin to outscore the Panthers 18-13 in the second quarter. Quitman took a 23-21 lead at the half.
Quitman held onto its lead in the third quarter until Northeast cut into it with help from two De'Kenno Winston three-pointers and shots by Stephen Dyess and Clinton Hales.
Northeast outscored the Panthers 16-14 to tie the game at 37 heading into the final quarter of play.
Quitman pulled away in the fourth quarter by going on a 12-0 run in the first five minutes of play. Northeast answered with 3:33 left in the game on a Theo Naylor basket to pull within 10. The Panthers, however, came on too strong, as they would win the game by a final of 55-48.
Renaldo McKenzie led Quitman with 17. David Laphand had 15.
The Trojans (8-6 overall, 0-2 district) were led by Winston's 12 and Dyess' 11. The Trojans will be in action on Thursday in the Enterprise Tournament against Enterprise at 8:15.