Knights headed to district tournament finals

By By Jamie Sullivan/staff writer
Feb. 15, 2002
HEIDELBERG The West Lauderdale Lady Knights picked up their second District 5-3A Tournament win with a 50-30 decision over Southeast Lauderdale on Thursday night to earn a spot in tonight's finals against Heidelberg, who outlasted Choctaw Central 87-79.
In boys' action, Heidelberg defeated Newton County 70-52, and West Lauderdale knocked off Philadelphia 63-43. Tonight's boys finals will feature Heidelberg and West Lauderdale facing off at 7:30. The girls game tips off at 6 p.m.
The Lady Tigers tried to use a spread offense to settle the pace, and keep the game close to the end.
West Lauderdale head coach Jody Hurst was expecting just that.
In the first quarter, a mere six points were scored combined, with West Lauderdale leading 4-2.
In the second quarter, the Lady Tigers kept the Lady Knights lead to only four points, as they matched the eight points put up by West Lauderdale. The Lady Knights lead 14-10 at the intermission.
In the third quarter, Cierra Jennings for WL knocked down a three-pointer to give her team a 17-10 lead.
The Lady Tigers then found an eight-to-zero run to take a 18-17 lead in the middle minutes of the third quarter.
Jennings answered the Southeast scoring run, when she dropped in another three-pointer to put the Lady Knights back on top for good.
After the three-point basket, the Lady Knights found an 11-0 run of their own to take a 28-18 lead.
Lesley Ruffin made one-of-two attempts to stop the Lady Knight scoring run.
Patty Moore went down the floor, and dropped a three-pointer on the Lady Tigers to put West Lauderdale up 31-19 after three complete quarters.
Ree Newell of SEL checked into the game in the fourth quarter, and knocked down a three-pointer to cut the lead to 11 points.
However, West Lauderdale's Moore went back down the floor, and tossed in a three-pointer to put the Lady Knights back up 14 points.
West Lauderdale sealed the decision, when Amy Frazier came into the game, and knocked down two final free throws to take the decision 50-30.
The victorious Lady Knights were led in scoring by J.J. Huggins with 14 points.
Shalonda Mitchell led the Lady Tigers with eight points.
West Lauderdale improved to 23-9 on the season, while Southeast Lauderdale dropped to 24-9.
The Lady Knights will not change anything up for the contest against Heidelberg, Hurst said.
Heidelberg girls 87
Choctaw Central 79 (OT)
The Heidelberg Lady Oilers outlasted the Lady Warriors of Choctaw Central, for a berth in the Division 5-3A District Championship against West Lauderdale.
The Lady Oilers were led in scoring by Jessica Yates with 30, Catina Fowler with 21, Princess Bender with 17, and Shawana Stevens tossed in 15 points.
The Lady Warriors were led in scoring by Chantay Frazier with 26, Brittney Morris with 17, Trisha Phillips with 12, and Deaundrea Johnson added 10 points.
West Lauderdale Boys 63
Philadelphia 43
The West Lauderdale Knights will advance to the Division 5-3A District Championship game, slatted for tonight at 7:30 against Heidelberg.
The Knights were led in scoring by Boo Ramsey and Calvin Moore with 23 points apiece.
The Tornadoes were led in scoring by Bobby Goodin with 10 points.
Heidelberg boys 70
Newton County 52
The Heidelberg Oilers made their way into the Division 5-3A Championship game with a 70-52 win over Newton County.
The Oilers were led in scoring by Marvin McDonald with 27, Jessie Jones and Derrick Turner with 12 points apiece.
The Cougars were led in scoring by Ken Windham with 15, Tony Smith with 13, and Al Willis added 12 points.