Division 5-3A boys' hoops looks stout
By By Marty Stamper / staff writer
Dec. 12, 2003
Division 5-3A has been known for being a strong girls' basketball league for years.
Making up the division are Carthage, Choctaw Central, Forest, Morton, Newton County, Southeast Lauderdale, and West Lauderdale.
In girls' hoops, West Lauderdale has been state runner-up the last two years. Choctaw Central's girls have won it all. So did Southeast Lauderdale in 2001. The Lady Tigers were state runner-up in 1988. Forest was the state runner-up in 1992 and 2000 and won it all in 1994. Carthage was state runner-up in 1986.
The division has had it moments in football and baseball as well. Ever hear of the West Lauderdale Knights and their 10 state baseball championships and back-to-back perfect regular seasons on the gridiron by Newton County in 2001 and 2002?
The league has done well in slow-pitch softball, thanks to Newton County and West Lauderdale and in fast-pitch softball thanks to Newton County.
Carthage always competes for a state title in boys' track.
This year, however, it seems the toughest battles may be contested in boys' basketball. If you can find a sorry team in the seven-team league, call the other six coaches in the division and let them know. They've looked and they're getting pretty worried that all seven boys' teams are going to be pretty stout this winter.
Clark gets no argument from Southeast Lauderdale boys' coach Ryan Miller.
Choctaw Central boys' coach Scott Thomas scouted last night's Southeast-Newton County game in which the Cougars rallied from a 23-point first quarter deficit to win 76-75.
His Warriors whipped Morton by 35 points on the road Tuesday night.
The Warriors host West Lauderdale tonight.
Newton County boys' coach Johnny Slaughter also thinks this year's games will be tough battles to win.
Thomas and his Warriors do have one advantage in that they'll be hosting the Division 5-3A Tournament in February. It should be a knock-down, drag-out series of games.
Teams better be doing all they can to be ready when the time rolls around. I, for one, went out and got a 2004 calendar today just to make sure I can start writing those dates down.
