By By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
Dec. 29, 2000
DECATUR The gym belongs to East Central Community College, but University Christian owned the backboards, especially those on the offensive end, in taking a 53-37 win over the Lamar Raiders in the boys' winners' bracket of the MPSA Central Mississippi Classic Thursday night.
The Flames had 31 offensive boards and improved to 13-2. UCS led 14-6 after one quarter and held a 24-12 advantage by halftime. The Flames extended their lead to 41-23 by the end of the third quarter.
Lamar then opened the fourth quarter with an 11-0 run and battled back to within 41-34 on back-to-back baskets by Dusty Jones with 5:36 remaining.
The Flames went up 42-34 on a free throw, then got two more more points on a putback by 6-foot-7 senior Ben Singletary when the second freebie rimmed out with 5:20 to go.
UCS, ranked No. 5 in the state among private schools, then built its lead back to 16 points.
The Flames have four players 6-foot-5 or taller. Lamar, 5-10, got 17 points from Jared McKee, 11 from Justin Brewer, and eight from Jones.
UCS got 17 points from Tripp Cain, 11 from Matt Thornton, 10 from Reggie Carter, and seven from Ryan Eaton.
Jackson Prep boys 65, Newton 31: Fourth-ranked Prep scored 35 of the game's first 37 points in the winners' bracket contest.
The Patriots led 20-2 after one quarter, 41-12 at halftime, and 52-24 through three quarters.
Newton, 7-7, got nine points from David White, eight from Daniel Champion, and six from Jason Frith.
Prep, 11-6, got nine points from Tommy Wright and eight each from Matthew Wiggins and Walker Tann. Fourteen Patriots scored.
Winston boys 79, Sylva-Bay 28: The Patriots raced to a 45-11 halftime lead in blitzing Sylva-Bay in the losers' bracket contest.
Jonathon Stevens hit five three-pointers in leading Winston, 6-8, with 19 points. Taylor McNeel scored 18, Phillip Harrison had 11, Caleb Metts tossed in 10, and Blake Fulton added eight.
Sylva-Bay, 8-7, got 13 points from Andres Norvell and seven from Justin Smith.