By Staff
REACHING IN – West Lauderdale's Rayshun Hopson goes for the steal against Clarkdale's J. T. Godwin during Thursday's second day of action in the Lauderdale County Basketball Tournament. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
Nov. 14, 2003
West Lauderdale and Southeast Lauderdale walked away from day two of the Lauderdale County with a pair of huge wins.
The tournament will conclude this Saturday at Meridian Community College's Ivy Sports Center beginning at 4:30 p.m. featuring Clarkdale and Southeast Lauderdale in the girl's game followed by the boy's game at 5:15 p.m. West Lauderdale and Northeast Lauderdale close the tournament out with a pair of games.
The highlighted game of the evening was between the girls of Southeast Lauderdale and Northeast Lauderdale with both squads entering the game with flawless records. The Lady Tigers got the better of the Lady Trojans by taking a convincing 60-33 win.
"I thought that we moved the ball well all night and we just have the experience that a lot of teams don't have," Southeast Lauderdale head coach Joe Miller said. "We took advantage of turnovers at the right times and we also ran the floor very well."
The Lady Tigers held a 13-7 edge at the end of the first quarter behind the play of Sam Smith. Smith had six points and three rebounds in the first period. Southeast Lauderdale opened up the offense with a huge 12-0 run to take a 25-7 lead over the Lady Trojans.
The scoring run was paced by a pair of three pointers from Tiawana Pringle. Southeast held a 35-17 lead at the end of the first half and never looked back in taking the victory over its cross-county rival.
Stacey Tate led the way in the scoring department for Southeast Lauderdale with 12 points, while Shalonda Mitchell and Pringle added 10 points apiece in the win. Shaquita Bell led the Northeast shooting with 10 points and Crystal Hopson followed with eight points.
Southeast boys 64
Northeast 56
Despite having a 38-19 lead at halftime, Southeast Lauderdale was able to hold on for the win over the Trojans.
"We hit the free throws and big shots down the stretch," Southeast Lauderdale head coach Ryan Miller said. "I was glad that we were able to hold on for the win.
The Tigers built the big lead thanks to Chris Gordon. Gordon was the lone offensive weapon for the majority of the first half to give the Tigers a huge lead at the half.
"Our kids play with a lot heart," Northeast Lauderdale head coach Lewis Lightsey said. "We just need to rebound and get a win Saturday."
Northeast got some great three-point shots from Antonio Clayton down the stretch, but the Tigers hit the key free throws to grab the win. Gordon led Southeast with 29 points and Clayton led Northeast with 30 points.
West Lauderdale girls 73
Clarkdale 43
The Lady Knights scored early and often to take the win over the Lady Bulldogs. West Lauderdale led 41-26 at the end of the first and ran away with the game in the second half.
Cierra Jennings led the Lady Knights with 15 points and Shannon Lloyd followed with 14. Kristi Walker and Felicia Kirksey led Clarkdale with 10 points apiece.
West Lauderdale boys 82
Clarkdale 37
West Lauderdale opened the game on a 20-0 scoring run and cruised to the win. Koiln Boyd and Rayshaun Hopson combined for much of the offense in the first half to give the Knights a 45-19 lead at the end of the first.
Jay Stoddard led West Lauderdale in the second half with 11 points and three shots from the perimeter.