Wade powers Meridian past Northeast Jones

By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
June 29, 2003
Playing large and in charge in Saturday morning's Pool I girls' title game was Meridian High's 6-foot post in Courtney Wade.
Wade made key plays down the stretch and answered the bell again in overtime leading Meridian High to a 59-56 overtime victory over a tough Northeast Jones club on Saturday morning at Northwest Junior High.
Meridian, which finished up pool play with a 60-48 win over Southeast at Meridian Community College later Saturday afternoon, will face Pool IV winner in Choctaw Central today at 9 a.m. in a medal round game at MCC. Warren Central, the Pool II winner, will meet Newton at 9 a.m. at Northwest.
The two winners tangle in the State Games of Mississippi's gold medal game at 1:30 p.m. at MCC's Ivy Sports Center.
The Meridian High boys locked up Pool I on Friday night after beating Southeast Lauderdale. Meridian, 5-0, will meet the Pool IV champ at 10:30 a.m. at MCC.
The other semifinal will pit West Lauderdale, 5-1 and the Pool II champs, against Pool III at 10:30 a.m. at Northwest. The boys gold medal game is set for 3 p.m. at MCC.
Leading by just two at 46-44, Wade made a putback of a missed free throw to give Meridian a 48-44 lead.
She then grabbed a big defensive rebound and followed it by making the long assist pass to Brittney Davidson for a uncontested basket and a six-point lead.
Wade scored again with 41 seconds left to give Meridian what seemed to be a solid 54-47 lead. But back came Northeast Jones.
Lady Tiger guard Kim Lewis hit a game-tying three-pointer with 11 seconds left to force overtime at 54-54.
Wade added two more baskets in overtime and this time Northeast Jones was unable to answer. She finished with 25 points.
Lewis ended with 15 points for Northeast Jones. Ebonie Jefferson had 11.
In other action from Northwest, Warren Central tied for second in Pool I play with a 75-53 win over North Forrest (3-2).
Meridian closed out Pool I play with a 101-40 rout of Neshoba Central. Cyrus McGowan had a game high 22 points. Daniel Boyd and JaColby Davis each had 14, while Aaron Yarbrough added 13.
Northeast Lauderdale concluded Pool I play by beating Meridian's B-team 64-45.
Northeast Jones picked up two wins after facing Meridian. They beat Northeast Lauderdale 23-21 and Quitman 53-39.
The Southeast Lauderdale Lady Tigers opened Saturday play with a 49-43 win over Kemper County.
In Pool II boys action, West Lauderdale beat Quitman 55-39 and Noxubee County downed Meridian B 54-49. West and Noxubee played twice at MCC to determine the champion.