Lamar takes title in Pre-Holiday Classic

By By Will Bardwell/staff writer
December 14, 2003
Lamar used a 13-2 run in the second half to put away East Rankin with a 49-29 win in the finals of the Lamar-Rush Sports Pre-Holiday Classic.
The Raiders, 9-2 after their third win in as many days, strangled East Rankin's offense with a defense that helped make up for their own occasional shooting woes. Lamar led 10-1 after the first quarter and did not allow a field goal until five minutes remained in the second period.
The Raiders held a 20-11 lead at halftime after allowing the Patriots to creep back into the game. A wide-open three-pointer from East Rankin guard Jay Anthony pulled the Patriots to within eight, but seconds later, Taylor Dean hit a three of his own to give Lamar a 25-14 lead.
Stephen Buys made another three-pointer on East Rankin's next possession, but Dean answered again to maintain the Raiders' 11-point lead.
The Patriots were within seven points in the final seconds of the third quarter, but Lamar's Austin Roebuck banked in a desperation heave with three-quarters of the court in front of him.
The Raiders win came in the 14th and final game of the inaugural Lamar-Rush Sports Pre-Holiday Classic, which began Thursday. Six schools competed, and Harber said he hopes the event will become an annual affair.
E. Rankin (girls) 46
Lamar 31
East Rankin drained 27 of 29 free throws to pull out a 46-31 win over Lamar in the girls' finals despite having just four field goals in the second half.
The game was tied at 15 at halftime.
Lamar forward Laura Anne White led the team with seven points. East Rankin's Allison Taylor had 13 points to lead all scorers, and Crystal Sessums add a dozen more for the Lady Patriots.
East Rankin held a small lead over the Lady Raiders for almost all of the third quarter but opened up a six-point lead three times. The Lady Patriots opened a nine-point lead less than two minutes into the final period and were never in danger for the rest of the game.
Starkville (boys) 52
Newton Aca. 27
Starkville's defense never allowed more than nine points in any quarter and the Volunteers won 52-27 over Newton.
Trevor Newsom scored 14 points for the Volunteers.
Starkville (girls) 52
Newton Aca. 32
Starkville outscored Newton 20-7 in the fourth quarter to seal a 52-32 win.
Newton's Amanda McMillan accounted for more than half her team's offense, scoring 19 points for the Lady Generals, who trailed just 7-5 after the first quarter.
Jorga Edmonds scored 22 points for Starkville, and Ashley Stewart added 11.
S. Choctaw (boys) 59
Wayne Academy 56
Rob Dahlberg had 27 points for South Choctaw to help the Rebels take third place in the Pre-Holiday Classic with a 59-56 overtime win over Wayne.
The Jaguars had two three-point attempts in the final 10 seconds but could not drain either shot.
Patton Stanley led Wayne with 13 points, and Garet James had 11 points.
S. Choctaw (girls) 44
Wayne Academy 39
South Choctaw took third place in the girls bracket of the Pre-Holiday Classic with a 44-39 win over Wayne.
The Lady Rebels overcame a two-point deficit at halftime.
Wayne guard Erin Wood was the game's top scorer with 19 points. Kristen Palmer had 12 points for the Lady Rebels.
Kristi Clark led South Choctaw with 14, and Carrie Boyle added 10 more for the Lady Jaguars.