Northeast boys kick off State Tourney
By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Feb. 24, 2203
The spoils that coaches often talk about throughout the season are on the line this week and next in the MHSAA state and MPSA Overall basketball tournaments.
The MHSAA state tournaments begin their annual two-week run today in the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson. Nine area teams have advanced to the event.
The Northeast Lauderdale Trojans (22-12) hit the floor this afternoon when they face rugged Jackson Provine (23-5) at 2:30 p.m. in Class 4A.
Northeast defeated Pass Christian 58-57 on Saturday to place third in the Class 4A South State Tournament at Bay St. Louis. Kalani White scored 16 points and Dekenno Winston had 15 for Northeast, which held a 32-21 halftime advantage.
Provine lost 62-60 to Jackson Lanier in the finals of the 4A North State Tournament.
The Lake Lady Hornets (23-5) face Houlka (29-7) Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Class 1A. Lake finished runner-up in the 1A South State Tournament, losing 86-59 to Durant in the finals. Roxana Rogers had 15 points for Lake with Valerie Harris scoring 13 and April Viverette adding 11. Houlka beat Tremont 58-48 in the 1A North consolation game.
Two area teams see action on Wednesday.
The 23-4 Wayne County War Eagles meet Olive Branch (29-2) at 2:30 p.m.
Wayne got 21 points from Dietric Slater in a 59-54 loss to Hattiesburg in the 5A South championship contest. Olive Branch defeated Jackson Murrah 60-46 in the 5A North consolation game.
At 8 p.m. on Wednesday, the Kemper County Wildcats (19-14) square off with Ruleville (26-6). Terrance Westerfield scored 30 points to lead Kemper to a 67-65 win over Hinds AHS in the 2A South consolation matchup. Ruleville lost 60-51 to Okolona in the 2A North title game.
Newton's 24-10 Lady Tigers head to Jackson Thursday to battle Ruleville (25-7) at 1 p.m. The Newton girls fell 67-57 to Bay Springs for the 2A South championship. Newton got 21 points from Kotreece Bender and 18 from Twila Clayton.
Ruleville knocked off Hollandale Simmons 53-34 in the 2A North consolation contest.
On Friday, the Choctaw Central Lady Warriors (27-8) play West Bolivar (29-4) at 1 p.m. Choctaw dropped a 67-59 decision to West Lauderdale for the 3A South State crown. Chantay Frazier led Choctaw with 27 points. Trish Phillips added 14.
West Bolivar beat Kossuth 58-53 in the 3A North consolation game.
In Friday night action, the Northeast-Provine boys' winner takes on 4A South State champion Picayune (31-2).
The Class 3A South State champions West Lauderdale Lady Knights and Choctaw Central Warriors and Class 5A South State champion Wayne County Lady War Eagles have byes into the semifinal round next week.
Wayne County's 24-7 Lady War Eagles take on the Columbus-Moss Point winner on March 3 at 6:30 p.m. in Class 5A. Wayne spanked Hancock 63-52 for the 5A South championship with Carla Bartee's 26 points leading the way.
The 30-3 Lady Knights of West Lauderdale will play the Itawamba AHS-Velma Jackson winner on March 5 at 6:30 p.m. West got 26 points from J.J. Huggins, 19 from Kristina Gardner, and 11 from Shannon Lloyd in a 67-59 3A South half championship game win over Choctaw Central.
The Choctaw Central Warriors (28-6) will take on the Byhalia-Prentiss winner on March 5 at 8 p.m. The Warriors got 21 points from Shaun Dougherty and 15 each from Sean Ahshapanek and Deon Lewis in a 75-64 victory over Jefferson County in the 3A South finals.
Meanwhile, the MPSA Overall Tournament also starts today at Mississippi College in Clinton. Three area teams qualified for that event.
The Kemper Academy Lady Rams (24-12) face Jackson Prep (30-5) today at 5 p.m. Kemper took fourth place in the Class A Tournament at Greenville last weekend. Prep placed third in the AAA State Tournament.
Leake Academy's teams hope to rebound from Saturday's beatings from Brookhaven Academy when they return to action tonight.
Brookhaven beat the Leake girls 64-39 to snap the Rebelettes' 23-game winning streak.
Brookhaven posted a 92-61 victory over the Leake boys.
The Rebels (32-7) face Adams County Christian School (19-11) at 6:30 p.m., while the Rebelettes (39-3) play Copiah Academy (24-17) at 8 p.m.
If either Leake team wins tonight, it would return to Mississippi College on Tuesday. The Rebelettes would pair off with Class A state champion Delta Academy (41-3), while the Rebels would play Delta (33-6).
Kemper's girls would return for a 6:30 p.m. Wednesday date with Brookhaven Academy (38-1) if they get past Jackson Prep.
The MPSA semifinals are slated for Friday with the championship games scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
