Lady Warriors stay in first
By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Jan. 15, 2003
CHOCTAW – The eighth-ranked Lady Warriors of Choctaw Central set the stage for Friday's battle with No. 3 West Lauderdale when they knocked off Southeast Lauderdale 81-75 Tuesday night at the Scalpin' Grounds.
Choctaw Central and West are both unbeaten in Division 5-3A with identical 6-0 marks. Southeast fell to 4-2 in league play with Tuesday's loss.
In the boys' contest, Choctaw Central beat Southeast 83-60.
In the girls' game, Southeast led 21-20 at the end of the first quarter following six lead changes only to have the Lady Warriors build a 37-25 advantage midway through the second period.
Southeast rallied to within 41-37 by halftime thanks to a late 8-0 run.
The Lady Tigers got a 3-pointer from Lashonda Hall off an inbounds play as the third quarter expired to grab a 64-62 lead heading into the final period.
After three ties, Choctaw Central took the lead for good at 71-69 on a basket by Trish Phillips.
Kelly Willis rattled home a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 6:06 left to extend the lead to 74-69. The Lady Warriors began working the clock on each possession the remainder of the contest and took the win despite hitting only 5-of-12 free throws over the final 4:46.
Choctaw Central, 19-1, got 19 points from Chantay Frazier, 15 from Ashley Flint, 11 each from Willis and Willa Thomas, nine from Phillips, seven from Ria Willis, and six from Kelly McMillan.
Frazier's output was welcome after she had struggled offensively in several games lately.
Southeast, 14-7, got 15 points apiece from Stacy Tate and Ree Newell, 13 from Hall, 12 from Tiawana Pringle, 10 from Sam Smith, and six from Erika Ruffin.
Choctaw Central boys 83
Southeast 60
The Warriors broke the game open in the second quarter as they outscored the Tigers 20-9 to carry a 35-21 lead into intermission.
Choctaw Central (16-3, 5-1) got 22 points from Deon Lewis, 16 from Shaun Dougherty, 13 from Sean Ahshapanek, and seven from Anslem Henry.
Southeast (10-10, 2-4) got 22 points from Richard Harris and 11 from Nehemiah Nwankpah,
