Meridian sweeps Quitman

By By Austin Bishop/EMG regional sports editor
December 14, 2002
It was the best of times and the worst of times for Meridian High School at Meridian Community College's Ivy Sports Center on Friday night.
After nearly blowing a 15-point lead with under five minutes to play, the Wildcats knocked down both ends of three straight one-plus-ones to take a 67-61 win over Quitman High School in the second night of the Frazier/Yarbrough Tournament.
However, there was also the fact that the Wildcats almost gave the game away.
The win sets up a championship game of sorts against Noxubee County High School tonight at 8:30 at MCC in the last day of the round-robin event.
In the girls game, Meridian won its second straight Frazier/Yarbrough game with a solid 57-39 win over Quitman.
In the boys game, the 6-4 Wildcats led 56-41 with 4:50 left in the game, but the Panthers reeled off 12 straight points, including eight from Lonnie McGee to cut it to 56-53 with 3:15 left in the game.
The game fluctuated around the three point range for the next two minutes and with MHS leading 61-58 with 1:10 left it looked as if the Panthers were going to cut it to one when they drove to the basket with a two-on-one opportunity.
But Quitman was called for a charge and Meridian had the ball.
Although the Panthers did get back to within four with 12 seconds left, QHS never really challenged again.
After turning the ball over on the charge, Quitman was forced to foul, sending the Wildcats to the line.
Jason Windom, Theo Naylor and E.J. Watson all knocked down both of their free throws on one-plus-one situations, to ice the game away for the Wildcats.
The clutch free throw shooting brought a smile to coach Watson's face.
Earlier this month Meridian lost to Lanier 77-56, John Carroll (Ala.) 67-51 and Eufala (Ala.) 80-62. Since then the Wildcats have won two straight.
Windom, a USM signee, led MHS with 26 points against Quitman, while Cyrus McGowan had 10. Prince Trotter led Quitman with 19 and McGee scored 10.
Quitman faces Heidelberg tonight at 5:30 in the Frazier/Yarbrough.
MHS girls 57
Quitman 39
According to veteran MHS head coach Donald Shirley, the Lady Wildcats played one of their most consistent games of the year in the 18-point win over Quitman.
The Lady Wildcats now have a chance to run the table in the tournament when they take on Noxubee County tonight at 7 p.m.
Valencia Hairston and Courtney Wade led MHS with 15 points each, while freshman Brittany Davidson tossed in 14.
Mashana Bonner led Quitman with 16 points, while Shaquilla Mack hit for 11.
Meridian led 13-11 at the end of one quarter and 28-20 at the half, before outscoring the Lady Panthers 14-7 in the third quarter to take control of the game.
Quitman faces Heidelberg at 4 p.m. today.