Trojans fly past Quitman

By By Carver Rayburn/staff writer
Jan. 11, 2003
The 39th-annual Sam Dale Basketball Tournament tipped-off Friday night at Southeast Lauderdale Attendance Center.
The Quitman Panthers suffered their seventh loss of the season by falling to the Trojans of Northeast 62-44. After Quitman took a 2-0 lead early, the Trojans went on an 8-0 run and led the the rest of the way. Quitman got back to within two at the end of the first quarter but missing key free throws throughout the entire game would not allow them to take advantage.
The Trojans were led by big forward Marcus Betts who knocked down big three-pointers in the second half to give Northeast the edge. Betts finished the night with 25 points and was 3-of-6 from three-point land.
The Trojans' 26-20 lead at halftime can be attributed mostly to the offensive shooting of Dekenno Winston. Winston knocked down shots from all over the perimeter including four three-pointers in the first half. Winston finished the night with 20 points.
Trojan head coach Lewis Lightsey feels that halftime came at exactly the right time for his team and Marcus Betts.
The flood gates flew open in the third quarter with Betts leading the way. Twelve of his 25 points came in the third quarter alone. The Trojans outscored the visiting Panthers 21-12 in the third quarter.
Quitman made one last charge by opening up with a 7-0 run in the fourth quarter to cut the score to 48-39. In the end, the Trojan defense stepped up big by forcing turnovers and answered with an 11-2 run to end the game.
Northeast forced 21 turnovers in the game total. The sparked offense then turned those turnovers into 26 points.
With the win, Northeast Lauderdale improved to 8-9 on the season. The Quitman Panthers got back on the bus with a 7-7 record.
Northeast 60
Quitman Girls 40
In early action, the Northeast Lauderdale Lady Trojans took care of the Lady Panthers of Quitman with ease, 60-40.
Leading the scoreboard for Northeast was Shaquita Bell with a game high 25 points. Quin Jackson also chipped in 19 points for the Lady Trojans. The Lady Panthers divided their points democratically with 12 each to Kemonica McGee, MaShana Bonner and Shaquilla Mack.
The Northeast Lady Trojans improved to 8-7 on the year while Quitman dropped to 7-7. The Lady Trojans advance to the championship game to take on Southeast today at 7 p.m.