Choctaw Central sweeps divison

By By Jeff Byrd/The Meridian Star
Dec. 15, 2001
PHILADELPHIA A tough, three-game road swing for the Newton County Cougars and Lady Cougars ended on a bitter note as Choctaw Central swept a pair of key Division 5-3A games on Friday night here at the Scalpin' Grounds.
Choctaw Central's Deon Lewis hit a three-pointer with 1:40 remaining to spur the Warriors to a 61-58 win over the Cougars in the boys game.
The Lady Warriors, meanwhile, stayed perfect in division play taking a 70-61 triumph over the Newton County girls. The Choctaw Central girls are now 12-1 on the season.
Choctaw Central 61
Newton County 58
There were seven lead changes and two ties in the fourth quarter of this tightly played divisional contest. Perimeter shots proved big but it was the Choctaws who got the biggest one of the game when Lewis hit a 19-footer from the corner to put the Warriors up 59-58.
Smith played big through three quarters scoring 21 points and his size helped the Cougars rally from a 48-43 deficit in the third quarter.
Five straight points from Cougar guard Dale Murrell put Newton County ahead at 50-48 after three quarters.
The switch of leads began in earnest with four minutes to play when Choctaw's Andrew McMillian snapped a 52-52 tie with two free throws. Newton's Al Willis answered with a three to put the Cougars back on top.
Lewis scored for the Chocs but was quickly countered by a three-pointer from Mylan Anderson with 1:58 that made it 58-56.
Lewis came right back hitting from the corner to the Warriors ahead to stay.
Anderson had a good look a go-ahead three with 17 seconds left but the shot fell wide. Lewis then hit a uncontested lay-up to make for the three-point final.
Lewis finished with 22 points with 10 made field goals. Tyler Williamson chipped in 13 points while Anslem Henry and Braden Sam had eight apiece.
Anderson ended with 11 to assist Smith. Murrell chipped in eight.
Girls
Choctaw Central 70
Newton County 61
Choctaw Central opened fast, hit a lull and then finished up strong to turn away a Lady Cougar squad who was playing it's third tough road game in less than a week.
Newton County, now 8-5, lost at Meridian on Saturday, to defending 3A champ Southeast Lauderdale on Tuesday, and then again Friday to the Lady Warriors.
Choctaw Central moves to 12-1 with the win and is now 6-0 in arguably the best 3A division in Mississippi.
The Lady Warriors put up 30 points in the first quarter to take a 13-point lead.
Newton County, though, plugged away and eventually drew even on three occasions in the third quarter. It was 50-50 headed to the fourth.
There, Choctaw got hot again scoring the first 12 points of the quarter. Chantay Frazier hit a basket, plus a three-pointer to get it started.
Willa Mac Thomas then added a conventional three-point play while Deandndria Johnson and Sharon Willis also scored to put the Lady Warriors up 62-50.
Johnson had 23 to lead Choctaw. Frazier chipped in 20 and Willis had 11.
Newton County got 21 from Yolanda Johnson, 14 from Dominique Mapp, and Kristin Chaney had 13.

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