By By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
March 4, 2001
CLINTON Both the South A-AA girls and boys ruled in the Mississippi Private School Association-A.R. Smithers Academy All-Star Basketball Games at Mississippi College's A.E. Wood Coliseum Saturday afternoon.
The South girls beat the North 57-49, while the South boys posted an 84-67 victory.
Between the two games, North girls' coach Clay Stringer of Central Academy made a rather unique proposal that turned out better for him than his team's game did.
South girls 57, North 49: The South struck early, scoring the game's first six points before Margaret McClure of Central Academy got the North on the scoreboard with a free throw with 14:21 to go in the first half.
An eight-foot baseline jumper from Meagan Moody of Kirk Academy with 3:47 to go before halftime got the North in double figures but still looking at a 22-10 deficit.
The South led 30-15 at halftime.
The North had a 34-27 advantage over the final 18 minutes, but was unable to rally for the win. The North got to within five points on several occasions but could get no closer. McClure made it 45-40 on a free throw with 8:55 to play.
Moody led the North with 10 points. The North also got eight points apiece from McClure and Shasta Nance of Winston Academy, and six from team MVP Gina Peeples of Cruger-Tchula Academy.
The North also got three points from Shana Thornton and two from Courtney Harrington, both of whom played at Heidelberg Academy.
The South got 10 points from E.J. Willis of Porter's Chapel, nine from Lindsay Altman of Brookhaven Academy, six from Sara Greer of Trinity Episcopal, and five from team MVP Heather McPhail from Prentiss Christian School. Sue Chennault of Leake Academy scored three points.
McPhail's presence affected many North shorts, especially in the first half.
McPhail, a 6-foot-3 post, rushed several North shots and blocked others.
Stringer did close one major deal Saturday. He proposed to Kathy McDade over the public address system following the game and she accepted.
South boys 84, North 67: The South team did something his University Christian School Flames couldn't, send veteran coach Coyte Vance, a native of Conehatta, out a winner in his farewell game.
The South led 42-36 at halftime behind 10 points from Jim Magruder of Bowling Green School who hit three 3-pointers before intermission.
The South then outscored the North 42-31 in the second half.
The South got 13 points apiece from team MVP Reggie Carter of University Christian and Derek Freeny of Leake Academy. Ryan Eaton of University Christian scored 12 points, Magruder had 11, Stephen Yelverton of Simpson Academy scored nine, Michael Moore of River Oaks Schools added eight, and Turner Havard of Brookhaven Academy tossed in six.
North team MVP Chris Anderson of Rossville (Tenn.) Christian led his team with 13 points. Neal Anderson of Kirk Academy scored 10, Adam Reding of First Assembly Christian School scored eight, Josh Chandler of Calhoun Academy had seven, and Aysar Chams of Desoto School added six.
The North also got four points from Kaleb Deese of Sylva-Bay Academy and three apiece from Daniel Champion of Newton County Academy and Taylor McNeel of Winston Academy.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com.