By Staff
Jamie Sullivan/staff writer
Jan. 26, 2002
DECATUR The Newton County Lady Cougars outlasted the Choctaw Central Lady Warriors Friday night in double-overtime to take a 83-77 Division 5-3A decision.
In boys' action, Newton County thumped the Warriors 74-62.
The Lady Cougars fell behind early in the game, as the Lady Warriors had a 6-0 run. However, the Lady Cougars would comeback strong with a 4-0 run of their own. Newton County's Kristin Chaney knocked down a jump shot at the end of the first quarter to knot the game at 18-18.
In the second quarter, the Lady Cougars outscored Choctaw Central 16-12 to take a slight 34-30 halftime lead.
After the intermission, the Lady Warriors came out and took a 52-51 lead into the fourth quarter.
Choctaw Central went on a 5-0 run with 2:19 left in the game to take a 60-58 lead. Newton County's Dominique Mapp knotted the score with a stolen inbounds pass with 1:15 left in regulation. The Lady Warriors picked up a pair of free throws to take a 63-61 lead.
Mapp was fouled with 50 seconds left on the clock, and after a quick trip to the free throw line, the Lady Cougars found themselves down 63-62.
The Lady Cougars elected to foul Choctaw Central, and Ashley Flint connected with both attempts to put the Lady Warriors up by three points with 10 seconds left on the clock.
Chaney took the inbound pass up the floor for an open look at the basket, but she was denied by the Lady Warrior defense. Mapp took the pass from Chaney, and dropped a three-pointer at the buzzer to knot the score at 65 apiece.
In the first overtime, the Lady Cougars took a quick lead, but the Lady Warriors were not rattled, as they quickly responded to the pressure of the upbeat game.
After four made free throws by Phyllis Cole, the Lady Cougars led 71-69. The Lady Warriors went to the free throw line, only to come up empty-handed in their attempts.
Trish Phillips knotted the score for the Lady Warriors with 10.9 second left on the clock.
Mapp pushed the ball up the floor and was fouled by the Lady Warriors as the clock expired.
Mapp needed only one attempt to fall to seal the victory. Unfortunately, it didn't happen.
As the two teams entered the second overtime, the Lady Cougars were ready to end the dramatic game.
Newton County's Kristen Hedrick connected with a three-pointer to take a 78-74 lead. After stealing a Lady Warrior pass, Chaney was fouled, and went to the free throw line. Chaney connected with one-of-two attempts to put the Lady Cougars on top 79-76.
After Chaney fouled out with 40.9 second left on the clock, sophomore Mallory Shumake entered into the game.
Shumake knocked down two clutch free throws with 15 seconds left to seal the decision for the Lady Cougars.
Hedrick hit one-of-two free throws to end the scoring at 83-77.
The Lady Cougars were led in scoring by Yolonda Johnson with 26, Cole 21, Mapp 15, and Chaney with 10.
Choctaw Central was led in scoring by Deaundrea Johnson with 21, Brittany Morris with 14, and Chantay Frazier and Phillips with 13 apiece.
The 12-9 Lady Cougars will be in action again Tuesday, when they host Southeast Lauderdale.
The 20-4 Lady Warriors will tip off against Lake tonight at the Broiler Classic in Forest.
Newton County boys 74
Choctaw Central 62
The 11-8 Newton County Cougars eased by Choctaw Central Friday night at the Cougar gymnasium.
The Cougars jumped out to an early 17-16 lead in the first quarter, and never looked back, as they beat the Warriors.
Despite scoring only nine points in the second quarter, the Warriors trailed 39-25 at the intermission.
In the third quarter, the Cougars found an 11-point run to take a 50-27 lead. Again the Warriors only scored nine points to fall behind 60-34.
Even though the Warriors scored 28 points in the final quarter, it still wasn't enough to catch the Cougars.
Newton County was led in scoring by Al Willis with 24, Tony Smith 22, and Mylan Anderson added 10.
The 9-12 Warriors were led in scoring by Tyler Williamson and Braden Sam with 12 points apiece. Deon Lewis added 11 points for the Warriors.
The Warriors will be in action again today, when they travel to Forest to tangle with Morton in the Broiler Classic.