1995

WEEK OF

East Central women ~~:l·~~ , ' . . ' throttle Pearl River

·arLee Baker Clarioi'H.edger Staff Wrtter

JUNIOR COLLEGES I 4 .. . j 32, Nick Dilon 20, Haashim Si.m.:"" ~ mons 16 and Jerry Collins 13; P , • River, 18-10, Conley Verdun 24,..: ~ Donnie Johnson 18, Jimmy Cuyler 13 and Omar Nelson 11. Even with Elaine Powell, like~ the best juco woman player in thi' country, tough start to finish against East Central's pack attack , was not enough to lift the Lad~ I Wildcats to another title. . 1 Her 35 points should keep her.... I atop the NJCAA scoring pile, but– support was limited with sister Ka~· • ·, ren Powell and Caronica Debose.~. next with 11 apiece. . , East Central spread its scoring.-~ around liberally, Melody Reed with··- 18, MonicaDavis 16, Brandi Harber 14 and Genia Griffin 10. Defense did the job as the Lady-– Warriors topped Pearl River a thirdn • time in theirlast four meetings after dropping four straight before then. 1,l~ "Defense was the key to it," EC.::: coach Sammy Pace said. "We were'-:-, ready to play and except for a lot ofw unnecessary turnovers did just...... that." · ..,. Reed, besides leading Lady War– rior scoring, "did a superjob defens– ing Powell, her quickness bothering Elaine, I t hink." · East Central rebounding was vk tal, toppingPR41-28on the boards/,:' North : At Scooba, Northeast ! Mississippi, 21-6, claimed the· ., North Division men's crown with a "" 73-72 victory over Holmes. ., ~. Dontae Jones led the Tigers with 20 points. In the women's final, Northwes~ Mississippi, 18-7, beat Northe,as~ 90-82. I ••

. DECATUR- Pleasure bubbled over Thwsday for East Central as the Lady Warriors hit the double jackpot. Not only did the home team tuck away the South Division playof( women's title With a 77-68 win over regular-season victor Pearl River, but it gained the role ofhost to next ·week's state playoffas well. That pits East Central against North runnerup Northeast Missis– sippi Monday at 6 after Pearl River takes on North winner Northwest Mississippi at 2. Men's state semifinals here' at Brackeen-Woods Gym pit North winner Northeast against Pearl River at 8 after North loser Holmes meets Copiah-Lincoln at 6. Co-Lin's Wolves had to battle back from a early 19-6 deficit, which coach Paul Johnson felt at the time · was not insuperable. "Vhis isn't a team to give up," Johnson said of his Wolves. "Be– sides, the second half is when we're strongest. I think we justwore them down." By halftime, though, Pearl River led by only 40-38 as Timothy Hook– er started a 3-point rampage bring– ingthe Wolves back. Breakout did not come forCo-Lin until the last 2 minutes with a rush from tied 76-all to lead83-78with 26 seconds left. Pearl River then drew within 87- 84 in a wild rush before falling out of contention. Vital in the Wolves victory along with their 8 3-pointers were free throws, 18 of 29 to the Wildcats' 14 of18, with 13 of 20 the second half. Co-Lin, 16-12, had Hooker with

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CARTHAGI NIAN NESHOBA DEMOCRAT NEWTON RECORD CLARION- LEDGER

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