By By Jeff Byrd/staff writer
December 14, 2002
Heidelberg and Noxubee County took turns having big quarters in Friday night's first boys game of the Frazier/Yarbrough Tournament.
But it was Noxubee who had the last big quarter and laugh outscoring Heidelberg 21-8 in the final stanza to take a 59-49 win. The victory gives the Tigers a 2-0 mark in the four-team round robin.
Noxubee County, now 9-3, will play Meridian tonight at 8:30 p.m. at Meridian Community College's Ivy Sports Center for the Frazier/Yarbrough boys title. Heidelberg, 3-5, will take on Quitman in its final game of the three-day tournament.
In the day's first game, the Heidelberg Lady Oilers turned back Noxubee County 53-46. Heidelberg improves to 1-1 in the tournament and is now 2-6 overall.
Noxubee County boys 59
Heidelberg 49
The inside strength of 6-foot-2 post Brandon Tate and the free throw shooting of LaQuintas Horne powered the Tigers in the fourth quarter.
Heidelberg led 41-38 heading into the fourth quarter after outscoring Noxubee 16-11 in the third. But a three-pointer by Horne put the Tigers ahead at 42-41 early in the fourth. The Oilers got a basket by Jordan Payne to take their final lead at 44-43. Then Tate took over getting two free throws and a monster, one-handed dunk to fuel to a 6-0 run and give the Tigers a 48-43 advantage with 4:42 left.
The lead would be at 52-45 with two minutes to go. Horne then made 5-of-6 free throws to salt away the win.
Noxubee County head coach T.J. Billups was glad to see both Horne and Tate step up.
Tate finished with 11 points in the quarter and had 20 for the game. He was 10-of-15 from the line including 5-of-6 in the fourth quarter. Horne had 15 points and Tim Lowery chipped in 10 with nine coming off three, three-pointers.
Heidelberg coach Ted Williams said his team continues to struggle. "Our seniors just refuse to step up," Williams said. "It's true we had to wait on our football players to get in shape but we showed we're vunerable inside. All Noxubee had to do was use their inside strength."
The Oilers broke out well taking a 16-8 lead after one quarter. Jordan Payne hit a pair of threes to ignite the attack. Horne got going in the second frame hitting three field goals to lead a 12-3 run to hand the Tigers a 26-19 lead. The half ended with Noxubee in front 27-25.
A 7-2 run by the Oilers put Heidelberg up 41-36 late in the third quarter.
Payne had 18 points to lead Heidelberg. Michael Johnson chipped in eight.
Heidelberg girls 53
Noxubee County 46
The Noxubee County Lady Tigers tried to trap Heidelberg but the Lady Oilers speed was too much. The Heidelberg girls scored 19 points in the fourth quarter, most on layups after beating the Noxubee press for a 53-46 win.
Princess Bender tossed in a game high 25 points to lead the Lady Oilers. She scored 10 in the opening quarter and seven in the fourth. Maneshia Cooley added 16 points off seven field goals and Catina Fowler had nine.
Katrina Johnson led Noxubee with 16 points and Erlexis Cooper had 14.
The two teams battled to a 15-15 tie after one quarter. Heidelberg then used a 13-6 second quarter to go up 28-21 at the half. It was 34-27 entering the final stanza.
Heidelberg went up 11 midway through quarter but a three-point by Johnson made it 42-34. The Lady Tigers had a chance to cut it to six following a Heidelberg turnover but a bad pass thwarted the opportunity.