By By Jim Luke/The Meridian Star
Dec. 28, 2001
PHILADELPHIA Nanih Waiya coach Fred Hickmon was unsure whether or not his team really belonged in the tournament coming into the opening day of the Philly-Rush Medical Holiday Classic. His Warriors gave the host Philadelphia Tornadoes all they wanted for three quarters before falling 59-36.
In other first round action Ackerman defeated Union 59-49 and Louisville beat Newton County 39-36.
Nanih Waiya and Philadelphia played to a 9-9 tie at the end of the first quarter and 21-21 at the half before the Tornadoes began to pull away in the third quarter after making some changes in personnel.
Hickmon liked the way his team played hard in the game and was happy with the way they stayed even with Philadelphia in the early going.
Robinson was not pleased with the effort his team gave during the game. But he was glad the younger players were able to get the team going.
Philadelphia was led in the game by Mandrako Jackson with 17 points and Tellas Burnside with 11 points. Nanih Waiya got its offensive spark from David Frey, who had 26 points in the game to lead all scorers.
The Warriors, 4-8, will play Union at 2:15 p.m. today in a losers bracket match up while the Tornadoes, 9-4, will play Ackerman at 4:45.
Nanih Waiya's Hickmon is excited about the game with Union.
Robinson also looks forward to his game with Ackerman.
Louisville 39
Newton County 36
Even though neither team was able to get rolling offensively, the opening game of the tournament game down to the wire as the Wildcats were able to beat the buzzer to hit a three-pointer to take the win over the Cougars.
Andrae Coleman led Louisville with 15 points in the game while Del Murrell led Newton County with 14. Al Willis also had 11 for the Cougars.
Louisville will be back in action today at 3:30 p.m. against Neshoba Central. Newton County plays in the first game today at 1 p.m. against Kemper County.
Ackerman 59
Union 49
The Ackerman Indians shut the Union Yellowjackets down offensively in the second quarter and that proved to be the difference in the game.
Union led 17-14 after the first quarter, but did not score a point in the second quarter while Ackerman pumped in 15 points to take a 29-17 lead at the half. The Indians survived a 20-12 scoring binge by the Yellowjackets in the third quarter and outscored their opponent 18-12 in the final quarter to earn the win.
Ackerman was led by Xavier Weeks with 19 points and Ray Ferguson with 13. Derrick Harris led Union with 16 points while Prentiss Evans added 11.