By By Thomas Burton/special to The Star
November 23, 2002
The Lady Panthers of Quitman outscored Southeast Lauderdale 22-8 in the third period to sneak away a 67-65 victory.
Quitman sparked a 14-2 run in the third period that proved to be the momentum changer in the contest. The Lady Panthers were led by Mashanna Bonner with 15 points, with eight coming in the third quarter.
In the boys game, Quitman took a page from the girls playbook by scoring 30 points in the third period that preserved a victory over the Southeast boys 72-57.
Quitman's drive was inginighted by two three-pointers by Prince Trotter and one three-pointer by Lonnie McGee to outscore the Tigers 30-9 in the third.
Quitman girls 67
Southeast 65
Southeast could not gain gain an early lead on Quitman because of 26 first half fouls. Quitman took advantage in the second quarter going to the line seven times and hitting 9 out of 14. The score at the half was still close with Quitman up 32-31.
The Panthers started to pull away with 5:55 left in the third. Bonner knocked down a shot to give Quitman the 38-33 lead.
Southeast only managed to get five points while Quitman got back to back shots by Shaqullia Mack to put the lead at 44-36 with 3:42 left to play. It was 54-39 affer three quarters.
Southeast put up an 8-1 run of it's own at the start of the fourth quarter.
Ree Newell, Sam Smith, and Shalonda Mitchell made outstanding plays towards the basket to cut the Panthers lead to eight with the score 55-47.
Once the clock ticked to 5:51, the Lady Tigers put up a 10-4 run with Smith getting to huge rebounds. And with 4:31 left she followed one up with the score. On the very next possession she hits the three-pointer to make it 63-60, Quitman.
For the final three minutes of the game Southeast was sent to the line but missed some key shots at the line.
With just under a minute left Quitman survived the Lady Tigers comeback. As Southeast made two more attempts at goal that did not fall in as Quitman held on for the win.
Quitman boys 72
Southeast 57
Despite going into the half leading 33-30 the Tigers could not find the same formula as Quitman exploded on scoring drive led by the scoring of Trotter who finshed up with a total of 16 points with 14 coming in the second half.
For Southeast Nehemiah Nwankpah led the Tigers with 19 points.
Early on in the contest the Tigers were sent to the line five times in the first period.
Quitman was in foul trouble which kept the team's timing off balanced. Southeast scored eight of there 15 points in the half from the line.
Once the second half started Quitman was hot as they scored 22 points in a five minute span. Southeast could never recover from the 60-42 lead going into the fourth period as the game ended with Quitman not looking back.