East Webster
It was a slow week in terms of basketball being played by East Webster as the Lady Wolverines were the only team to play a game last Tuesday. EWHS went to Vardaman to take on the Lady Rams and came awaywith a 43-24 victory. Head coach Jon Ginn said that the game was sloppy at times but he was happy to come out with a victory. After jumping out to a 13-4 lead in the first quarter, the Lady Wolverines basically coasted the rest of the way. They allowed just 12 points in the first three quarters as they jumped out to the 32-12 lead. Vardaman outscored them 12-11 in the final frame but the lead was way out of hand by that point. EWHS shot just 29% in the win and were 5-of-20 from the field. They turned Vardaman over 26 times and had 16 of their own. Shan Culpepper led the team with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, had 12 rebounds,four steals and two blocks. The win moved the Lady Wolverines to 4-1 on the season with four-straight victories since dropping the opening game to Amory. Ginn said that it’s still a work in progress. “Our younger girls are starting to understand more where they’re supposed to be. We took a hit (with the roster) and a couple of girls that wouldn’t be seeing action yet are learning on the fly,” Ginn said. “It’sbeen a learning curve, but those girls are starting to more understand where they’re supposed to be and what they’re supposed to be doing. We’re makingprogress, but it’s all part of the 2020 thing.” While the Lady Wolverines were able to see the floor last week, the boys team didn’t get a chance to play. Ginn actually felt it was a good thing for that group as they continue to navigate the early season. The bulk of the team had already been playing prior to the end of football season, but key contributors Chandler Hodges and Zy Ford were added to the mix to help lead them to a 4-2 start with four-straight wins as well. After getting to play in a couple of games since their return, last weekwas a chance for those two to really get a chance to go through some instructional work in practice. “The last 10 days, we kind of looked at it as a bit of ablessing in disguise,” Ginn said. “Usually you get the football guys back andyou only have two days with them. We were able to get several practices withthem and not be pressed because we knew there was a game the next day. I hopethat will pay dividends the rest of the season.” The two teams were supposed to play Nanih Waiya on Mondaybut those games were cancelled. They were also expected to play Ethel on Tuesday on the road in a game that happened after press time. They will travel to New Site on Friday evening and play the top teams in Class 2A for a majortest. Eupora basketball By ROBBIE FAULK Add another number to the win column for a Eupora girls team that managed just one victory a season ago. The Lady Eagles went to Winona last Saturday and came away with a 40-29 victory over the Lady Tigers to move to 4-2 on the year. Eupora brokea 10-10 tie in the first quarter by outscoring Winona 13-3 in the second quarter and taking over the game. Alexia Johnson finished the night with 13 points and M’Nyjah Young had 11 points in the victory. “We played well. In the second quarter we played lights out,” head coach Cody Ramer said. “That second quarter was big and gave us a goodlead going into the second half. My freshmen and sophomores still have a lot tolearn. They want to push the ball when they get it. Once I get them to slowdown, we’ll be ok.” It’s a big week ahead for the Lady Eagles as they will hostthree home games at Eupora. They play Vardman on Tuesday night, Houston onThursday and Ethel on Friday. The Friday night contest will be Eupora’s Senior Night as they want to make sure that they get a chance to recognize the seniorsearly in case something happens with the season beyond the new year. This week will also be the debut of the Eupora boys team asthey haven’t been able to play a single game this season. The first couple of weeks of the season were cancelled due to the football team continuing its season in the playoffs but the last two weeks were incomplete as the team hadto quarantine due to COVID-19. It’s a big week for both squads as the boys will start a new season and the girls are looking to continue momentum. Ramer is excited for the challenges. “I would really love to pull out these games,” Ramer said. “Houston has been really consistent the last couple of years so if we could pull thatgame out, it would be huge for our program moving forward.”
