Lady Tigers down Kemper
By By Carver Rayburn/staff writer
Jan. 11, 2003
The Southeast Lady Tigers had their hands full for three quarters on Friday night. The Kemper County Lady Wildcats faced off against the streaky Lady Tigers in first round action of the Sam Dale Tournament.
Lady Wildcat Melody Nave knocked down her first five shots to keep Kemper within reach through the first half.
Southeast head coach Joe Miller switched to a zone defense in the second quarter that took Nave out of the game. After pulling down offensive rebounds and sinking second chance points, the Lady Tigers took a 32-20 lead into halftime.
The second half proved to be a very physical one. The two teams took turns battling it out in the paint and Kemper seemed to be constructing a comeback. The third quarter saw Kemper County take the advantage. Led by Nave, the Lady Wildacts outscored Southeast 16-9 in the third quarter and cut the score to 44-37.
The fourth quarter proved to be the one that mattered for Coach Joe Miller's Lady Tigers. Just 30 seconds into the final period, Kemper County's offense suffered a setback. Melody Nave went down with an apparent ankle injury and did not return to the game. This proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back. The Lady Wildcats did not react positively to the loss of Nave and the Lady Tigers poured on the offense. Southeast returned the third quarter favor and outscored Kemper 26-9 in the fourth.
Southeast head coach Joe Miller feels that if his team can play like they did in the fourth quarter they will continue to win.
Southeast was led by Sam Smith who scored 21 points and knocked down three from behind the arc. Smith recieved support on the offensive end of the court with 16 points from Shalonda Mitchell. Lashonda Hall also contributed 15 points.
Coach Miller felt that Sam stepped up when her team needed her.
Southeast improved their record to 13-5 and will take on Northeast tomarrow.
Kemper County falls to 6-9 on the season and will take on Quitman High School tomarrow at 4 p.m.
In late boys action, Southeast played host to Kemper County. Southeast took care of business to make it an all Southeast/Northeast Tournament Championship cruising by the Wildcats 66-46.
