Trojans nab comeback win
By By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
Nov. 25, 2003
The Northeast Lauderdale boys' basketball squad had a lot of work to do in the second half of its game against the Southeast Lauderdale Tigers Monday night. The Trojans (4-4) went on several big scoring runs in the third quarter to roll to an amazing comeback win over the Tigers (3-4) by a final score of 61-57.
Northeast clawed back from a 17-point deficit at the brake to notch the close victory over the team's cross-county rival.
Southeast dominated the first quarter to take a comfortable 20-8 lead at the end of the opening eight minutes. The Tigers were paced by Lamar Crowell with eight points in the first quarter.
The Tigers started to pull away in the second quarter pulling ahead 33-14. Crowell and Chris Gordon combined for the points to give the home team the large lead.
The Trojans answered the scoring run with a basket by Harold Grace and a three-pointer from Ellis Cockrell to cut the score to 33-19. Southeast finished the first half with a big momentum boost thanks to a three-point shot from B.B. Brassfield to make the score 36-19 at the intermission.
Northeast opened the second half with an impressive 13-0 run that was highlighted by three consecutive dunks from Alex Ford. Southeast fought off the run by the Trojans and held a 42-37 lead going into the fourth.
Northeast went on a 7-0 run to open the fourth and took its first lead of the night by a score of 44-42.
The two teams exchanged the lead eight times over the final quarter, but the Trojans got the better of the Tigers in the final two minutes. Ford hit a pair of baskets down the stretch along with clutch free throws from Maurice Langston to give Northeast the road victory.
Ford led Northeast with 23 points, and Antonio Clayton followed with 10 points. Langtson also added eight points in the victory for the Trojans.
Gordon led Southeast with 16 points, and Crowell and Windham Campbell each had 12 in the loss.
Southeast (girls) 56
Northeast 44
The Lady Tigers had their troubles early in the first quarter, but the home squad played a solid game the rest of the way to improve its record to a perfect 8-0 with the win over the Northeast Lady Trojans (5-3).
Northeast held a 16-9 lead at the end of the first quarter with some quality baskets from Crystal Hopson. The Lady Tigers started to take control of the game in the second quarter by causing several Northeast mistakes with a tough full-court press.
Southeast went into the half with a 32-21 lead and never looked back in taking the 12-point victory.
The Lady Tigers were led in scoring by Shalonda Mitchell with 13 points, and Stacey Tate chipped in 12 . Sam Smith turned in an 11-point performance for Southeast.
Hopson led the Lady Trojans with 16 points, and Shaquita Bell notched 14.
