Neshoba off to hot start in 2003

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Jan. 12, 2002
PHILADELPHIA The Neshoba Central Rockets opened the 2003 portion of their basketball schedule this week by going 3-0. The Rockets' latest victim was Newton County 61-49 Saturday night.
The Lady Rockets won the opener 66-41.
The Neshoba Central boys beat Warren Central and Louisville prior to their victory over Newton County.
Newton County, 8-9, led 11-7 in the first quarter before the Rockets scored the final nine points of the period.
The Rockets got 10 of the last 15 points of the first half to carry a 31-25 lead into halftime.
Neshoba, 14-5, led 44-36 to start the fourth quarter. Newton County rallied to within 49-45 on a 3-pointer by Delvion Merrill with 4:37 to go, but wouldn't score again until James Broach made a free throw with 1:08 left. By then, the Rockets had extended their lead to 57-45. Anthony Jones was 4-of-4 at the free-throw line during the run.
Calvin Parker led Neshoba with 21 points. Eric Truss scored nine, all from 3-point range, Jones and Anthony Parker both had eight, and Anthony Pickens tossed in seven.
Craig Pruitt led Newton County with 16 points. Merrill had 14.
Neshoba girls 66
Newton County 41
The Lady Rockets jumped out to a 44-24 halftime lead in taking the night's first game.
Krystal Wells, who missed Neshoba's 48-39 loss to Newton County in the finals of the Nanih Waiya Christmas Tournament, led the Lady Rockets with 20 points, all of which came in the first half.
The Lady Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak. After opening the season with eight consecutive losses, the Neshoba girls put together a seven-game winning streak before losing to Newton County at Nanih Waiya.
Also in double figures for Neshoba, 8-11, were India Backstrom with 17 points, Anika Carter with 12, and Kelli Thompson with 10. Jessica Pisarick tossed in six.
Newton County, 13-6, got 12 points from Andrea Dubose, eight from Mallory Shumake, and six each from Dominique Mapp and Ashley Singleton.