Tornadoes take win over Cougars

By By Marty Stamper/EMG sports assistant
January 18, 2003
DECATUR In the brutal Division 5-3A boys' basketball race, every win is to be savored. Philadelphia improved to 10-8 overall and 3-3 in the league with a 65-52 victory at Newton County Friday night.
Newton County dropped to 8-11 and 2-4.
The Tornadoes led 22-12 after one quarter and stretched out to a 44-28 halftime lead as Bobby Goodin's 3-pointer beat the intermission horn. Goodin had 19 of his 23 points in the first half.
Newton County got to within 50-42 with 1:10 left in the third period on back-to-back baskets by Craig Pruitt, but the Tornadoes got the last four points of the quarter and never led by less than 11 points the rest of the game.
The Tornadoes also got 16 points from Richard Garrett, nine from Eric Lyons, and eight from Orie Hudson.
Newton County got 13 points from Ricardo Alcantar, 11 from Pruitt, and eight from Willie Windham.
Which two teams will advance from 5-3A is anybody's guess at this point.
Newton County girls 45
Philadelphia 38
Facing the likes of West Lauderdale, Choctaw Central, Southeast Lauderdale, and Heidelberg, division wins haven't come easy for the Lady Cougars and Lady Tornadoes.
Newton County (14-7, 2-4) jumped out to an 18-6 lead by the end of the first quarter only to have Philadelphia pull to within 26-22 by halftime.
The Lady Cougars carried a 32-29 edge into the fourth quarter.
Newton County made 5-of-6 free throws over the final 1:54 to preserve the win. Phyllis Cole made 3-of-4 charity shots, while Yuvonne Kidd made both of hers.
Kidd led the Lady Cougars with 15 points. Dominique Mapp scored 12, and Kristin Chaney had 10. The Lady Cougars were 16-of-30 at the free-throw line.
Ashley Lowery hit three 3-pointers to lead Philadelphia (6-12, 0-6) with 12 points. Dominetrix Hunter scored nine and Myia Henson had eight. The Lady Tornadoes made five of their seven free throws.