11/11/2009 6:00:00 PM Basketball teams open with wins
By STEVE SWOGETINSKY Sports Editor
Several local prep basketball teams got their 2009-2010 seasons off to a good start this past week.
Philadelphia High School's girls and both Choctaw Central teams picked up victories in the Choctaw Central Classic. Both Neshoba Central teams played in the Kemper County Classic. The Leake Academy girls are 2-0 after opening last week in the Benton Tournament.
The Lady Tornadoes took a 68-48 win over West Lauderdale.
Philadelphia jumped out to a 37-17 lead at the half and really turned it on in the second half after making some adjustments.
"We have changed our offensive and defensive systems from last year and have been working on it since April," Philadelphia Coach Tristan Howell said. "It's a learning process. We made some adjustments at halftime and we came out and started getting into our spots.
"We did well in the second half. We came in with some energy and we had fun."
Tamarah Hunter scored 18 points to lead the Lady Tornadoes while LaShundra Rush added 16 and LaJoya Griffin scored 12.
Philadelphia was to play at Union on Tuesday and then visit Neshoba Central on Thursday. The Philadelphia boys will be playing without several players who are on the football team.
Philadelphia will host the Lady Tornado Classic this Saturday. The schedule is as follows:
11:30 a.m. - Weir vs. Scott Central
1 p.m. - Nanih Waiya vs. Union
2:30 p.m. - Neshoba Central vs. Morton
4 p.m. - Philadelphia vs. Noxapater
The Choctaw Central Lady Warriors opened their season with a 73-58 win over McComb. Choctaw Central led 40-32 at the half.
Melaney Nickey led the Lady Warriors with 14 points while Shanita Morris added 13 points, Chenise Ben scored 12, and Delanda Chickaway scored 11 points and pulled down 14 rebounds.
The Choctaw Central boys claimed a 70-34 victory over Newton County. The Warriors led 38-15 at the half. Christopher Willis led the Warriors with 16 points while Dean Isom added 15 and Joshua Thomas scored 11.
The Warrior teams have a busy week. They were to visit Northeast Lauderdale Tuesday and then return home to play Newton County on Friday. Choctaw Central visits Carthage on Saturday.
Both Neshoba Central teams opened play in the Kemper County Classic. The Neshoba Central girls put on a strong showing as they blasted West Lowndes 80-40. Kimber Henderson scored 27 points to lead the Lady Rockets. The Neshoba Central boys dropped an 86-56 decision to Northeast Lauderdale.
Neshoba Central was to host Louisville Tuesday and Philadelphia on Thursday.
The Leake Academy girls took a pair of wins in the Benton Tournament. The Rebelettes defeated Mt. Salus 55-24 and Central Hinds 68-33.
The Rebelettes bounced out to a 32-9 halftime lead against Mt. Salus and never looked back. Emily Kea led the Rebelettes with 12 points while Hannah Peoples scored 11. Cheyenne Evans had six rebounds to lead the Rebelettes.
Leake Academy scored 35 points in the first quarter and led 44-18 at the half in their win over Central Hinds. Peoples had 11 points and five steals to lead the Rebelettes. Char'Lesa Tadlock added 10 points.
Leake Academy was to visit Kemper Academy Tuesday. The Rebel teams travel to East Rankin on Friday and then host Heidelberg Academy on Saturday.
