Wildcats sweep Panthers

By By Matt Barrett/The Meridian Star
Nov. 15, 2001
QUITMAN Meridian High School swept a pair of games from the host team Wednesday night in the Quitman High School Invitational basketball tournament.
The Wildcats remained undefeated with a 72-59 victory over the struggling Panthers, while the Meridian girls claimed a hard earned 57-53 win.
The round-robin tournament continues tonight with Quitman playing host to Harrison Central in a doubleheader. The girls' game starts at 6 p.m., while the boys tip-off at 7:30 p.m.
The 2-2 Lady Wildcats took a win over 1-4 Quitman. Both teams scored 12 points in the first period. During that eight-minute span, Shanlanda Carter of Quitman and Valencia Hairston of Meridian dominated the boards. The battle for the boards between the two would be the deciding factor of the game.
In the second quarter, Krystal Ferbs stepped up for Quitman, scoring six points and pulling down three rebounds.
The Lady Cats led at the half, 26-22. Then Quitman cut the MHS lead to three in the third quarter 39-36. Ferbs had eight points for the Panthers and 5 rebounds in the third quarter. Stephanie Mosley scored nine points in the period and played great defense.
Meridian would hold out to win in the fourth period, out scoring the Panthers 57-53.
MHS Boys 72
Quitman 59
A 4-0 Meridian high boys team defeated the 1-3 Quitman Panthers. The Wildcats and the Panthers both scored 19points in the first quarter. The Wildcats where led by point guard Keno Lefore. Lefore pushed his team down court with the help of fellow guard Josh Walker.
With 3:55 remaining in the second quarter, quitman went on a seven point unanswered run. Meridian stepped up to the challenge with help from powerful boards from Theo Naylor. MHS went into the locker room trailing the Panthers 35-36.
Meridian out scored the Panther in the third quarter 9-10 tying the score at 45.
A strong performance from Jamaine Winfield helped poise the wildcats for the fourth period. Wildcat Keno Leflore lead the cats in the fourth quarter with eight points. The Meridian defense was to strong for the Panthers to establish a comeback. Meridian would out score Quitman in the fourth quarter 23-14 , Making the final score 72-59. " Every time these two teams meet you know you are going to great a great game" said coach Watson Meridian highs head coach.
Leading scored for the Wildcats are Jamine Winfield and Josh Walker both with 11, E.J. Watson with 9, and Keno Leflore, Fred Cole and Mack Walker with 8 points.
Meridian will play Harrison Central Saturday at 7:30

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