By By Rocky Higginbotham/special to The Star
June 22, 2002
DECATUR Jefferson County's boys have been labeled as the team to beat in Pool 4 of the State Games of Mississippi high school basketball competition.
Friday afternoon, the Tigers fought through a subpar performance and knocked off a streaky-shooting Bay Springs squad 54-43.
The contest highlighted a full day's action at East Central Community College. In other boys' games, Scott Central dropped a pair of contests, falling to Brookhaven (62-37) and Taylorsville.
In girls' action, Choctaw Central edged East Marion 37-36, Jefferson County beat Bay Springs 50-49, Choctaw Central topped Pillow Academy 52-39 and South Pike pulled away from Union 39-16.
Today's action at ECCC includes a minimum of seven games, starting at 10:30 a.m. with a matchup of unbeaten girls' teams in South Pike and Choctaw Central.
In Friday's marquee boys' matchup, Bay Springs shook off a slow start and stung Jefferson County with seven 3-pointers in the first half four by Josh Crosby and two by Reggie Shellwood as the Bulldogs took a 27-24 lead.
Another 3 and a steal and layup by Sam Ferrell four minutes into the second half put the Bulldogs up 34-26, but it was all Jefferson County from there. The Tigers outscored Bay Springs 28-9 the rest of the way, getting a 3-pointer from Joshfer Nichols and a slam dunk from 6-foot-8 center Juan Wyatt to spark the run early.
Bay Springs was still within seven in the waning minutes before three consecutive baskets by David Tyler put the game away for Jefferson County.
Tyler finished with eight points, while Dejuan Smith had 11 to lead the Tigers. Wyatt, Nichols and Lakendrick Harried were all in double figures with 10 points.
Ferrell finished with a game-high 19 for Bay Springs, while Crosby scored 13 and Shellwood 10.
Choctaw C. girls 37
East Marion 36
Choctaw Central's girls overcame a five-point deficit at the half to rally past East Marion 37-36.
The Lady Eagles started the game with a 12-4 run and led 21-16 at halftime before the Lady Warriors rallied. Chantay Frazier scored 12, Trish Phillips 11 and Kelly McMillian six for Choctaw Central.
Jefferson Co. girls 50
Bay Springs 49
Jefferson County got a game-high 28 points from Travalyn Smith as the Lady Tigers held off Bay Springs for a 50-49 win. The Lady Bulldogs led 20-16 at halftime before Flora McKnight's Jefferson squad rallied for the win.
Brookhaven boys 62
Scott Central 37
Class 2A Scott Central was no match for Class 4A Brookhaven, as the Panthers topped the Rebels 62-37.
Brandon Caston pumped in a game-high 17 points to lead Brookhaven, while Lamar Hall added 14.
Rodrick Loper led Scott Central with 14 points.
Choctaw Central girls 52
Pillow Academy 39
Choctaw Central's girls turned a three-point halftime advantage into a 52-39 win over Pillow Academy.
Ashley Flint scored 12 of her game-high 18 points in the second half to lead Choctaw Central. Frazier added eight, Willa Thomas had seven and McMillian six for the Lady Warriors.
Mary Beth Boler topped Pillow with 12 points, while Catherine Sanford chipped in seven.
South Pike girls 39
Union 16
Unable to solve Union's defense in the first half, defending Class 4A state runnerup South Pike used its transition game to beat the Lady Jackets 39-16.
South Pike led just 14-10 at halftime, but held Union scoreless for the first 10 minutes of the second half while the Lady Eagles went on an 18-0 run.
Erika Holloway led the Lady Eagles with 11 points, while Tracy Forrest scored eight. Marley Smith and Lauren White had four apiece to top Union.