1977-1982

East Central Girls Coahoma In State By GUY COWART upset over nationally ranked Star Correspondent Coahoma in the opening round DECATUR - Ester Thomas of the Junior College state nk a I@footjumper with five tournament here Wednesday onds left to spark the East night. entral Junior College Lady In other tournament action, rnors to a stunning 87-85 the Northwest Lady Rangers downed Hinds 74-65.

Jo Lynn Elkins was good PR .- jumper to give East Central a $583 lead. but Coahoma tied it up again on yet another basket by Crockett with just 23 seconds left. East Central then held thi ball and set up Thomas winning shot The Lady Warriors were lec by Thomas with 24, whilt Charlene Jones added 22 Collier 16, and Joyce Watkln: 11. Coahoma was led b: McCastle's 22, and Crocket with 18. East Central wil'i mec Northwest for the State Jumo College title al 7: 00 tonight.

The game was nipand-tuck the entire way a s both teams layed excellent basketball. :ast Central had their chances 3 put the game away but :oahoma wouldn't go down rithout a flight. The first half was a scoring uel as the two teams set a blistering pace. With East Central on top 1615 with 12:20 left in the first, the Lady Warriors ohtscored Coahoma 1-1 to take a 27-16 lead. But Coahoma came back ehind the inside play of I tomona McCastle to deadlock 1e score at 4747 by the half. The pace slowed down a little I the second half. but East !entral gradually built up a 5-65 lead with 6:27 left. But !oahoma came back. Coahoma cut the gap to 77-73 rith 3:49 left and East !entral's Bobbie Collier, who ad played brilliantly all night, icked up her fifth foul. Without ,Collier, the Lady Varriors had trouble breaking 1e press and Coahoma knotted he score at 83-83 on a basket by 'hgn f ' r n~ l n t t