Forest keeps title hopes alive with victory
By By Marty Stamper/EMG sports assistant
January 24, 2004
DECATUR The Forest Bearcats made a move to stay in the running for the Division 5-3A regular season championship with a 47-40 win over Newton County Friday night.
Forest improved to 5-2 in league play, while Newton County dropped to 4-3 in 5-3A and 16-6 overall. Entering Friday's action, Choctaw Central had only one division loss, while Morton had two and West Lauderdale had three.
Forest took the lead for good at 41-40 on a basket by VaNario Youngblood after James Broach had given the Cougars a 40-39 advantage with a 3-pointer from the right corner with 2:58 remaining.
The Cougars closed the loss with three turnovers, a missed shot, and a partially blocked shot as Forest patiently worked the clock and padded its lead.
Courtney Parhm added a basket with 1:52 to go and Jonathan Bennett drove the left baseline for a 45-40 lead with only 17 seconds left. Jacquas Jones beat the final horn with a dunk for the final seven-point margin.
Newton County made only half of its 24 free throws, including a 2-of-7 effort at the line in the fourth quarter.
The Cougars got 12 points from Ricardo Alcanter and 10 from Broach.
Forest got 10 points apiece from Jones, Youngblood, and Josh Graham.
The Bearcats were without big man Braxton Boone.
Newton County led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter and took their biggest lead of the night at 19-12 on a 3-pointer from Alcanter with 6:30 left in the half.
Forest closed to within 26-22 going into intermission.
Forest took a 35-33 lead on a basket by Youngblood with five seconds left in third quarter.
Newton County girls 62
Forest 58
The Lady Cougars improved to 3-4 in the division and 13-8 overall with the four-point victory.
Newton County led 10-9 at the end of the first quarter and built a 32-19 halftime advantage. The Lady Cougars still led by 13 to start the final period as they were up 50-37.
Newton County got 17 points from Dominique Mapp, 15 from Andrea Dubose, and 11 from LeEshae Wesley.
Forest (4-17, 0-7) got 17 points from Shaquenta Lee, 15 from Brittany McClendon, and 11 from Shilina Pinkston.
