By Staff
Jamie Sullivan/Staff Writer
Jan. 6, 2002
PHILADELPHIA The Phildelphia Tornadoes would not be denied the Neshoba Central title here Saturday night, knocking off the host Rockets 74-64.
In other tournament action, the West Lauderdale Lady Knights claimed the girls' championship by defeating Neshoba Central 58-44.
West Lauderdale picked up its second tournamnet win of the season, as it won the Lauderdale County Tournament earlier in the year.
The Lady Rockets had to play the contest with Miranda Rosar injured, and key players in foul trouble.
Smith and her Lady Rockets will get one more chance at the Lady Knights Janurary 22, Neshoba Central.
An injured Rosar still managed to lead the Lady Rockets with 11 points on the night, Elyse Willis tossed in 11 points for the Lady Rockets as well.
J.J. Huggins led the Lady Knights with 23 points, and Kristina Gardner tossed in 11.
Philadelphia Boys 74
Neshoba Central 64
Would you call the Phildelphia/Neshoba Central match-up an upset?
Neshoba Central could only lose by five points to claim the title, or win out right to claim the title, but Keith Robinsons' Tornadoes had other arrangements in mind.
Robinson knew he had his hands full coming into tonights match-up with Neshoba Central.
The Rockets took a 31-24 lead into the halftime break, but things got wild in the second half of play.
The Tornadoes took a four point lead with 2:00 minutes left in the third quarter, as they outscored the Rockets 25-12 in the third quarter.
As the fourth quarter neared an end, the Rockets started fouling the Tornadoes to increase their chances of a comeback. However, they were fouling the wrong person. Tellas Burnside was the target for the Rockets, as he was fouled four times in the last fifty seconds of the game. Tellas went to the free throw line four times, and he knocked down 5-of-8 from the line to ice the Tornado victory.
Phildelphia was led in scoring by Burnside with 22, Mandrako Jackson 14, and Diego Gill added 12 points.
The Rockets were led in scoring by Tawon Walker with 18, Calvin Parker 16, Taveres Walker 13, and Desmond Jones added 10 points.
Philadelphia Girls 51
Kosciusko 39
The Lady Tornadoes of Philadelphia knocked off Kosciusko 51-39. Shekara Young led the Lady Tornadoes with 16 points.
West Lauderdale Boys 79
Kosciusko 71
In boys' action, West Lauderdale knocked off the Whippets 79-71. Boo Ramsey led the comeback Knights with 30 points.