The Choctaw County boys and girls basketball teams closed out Region 4-3A play last week with losses to Noxubee County. The boys were defeated 56-45 and the girls lost 53-49.
The Chargers led 28-21 at the half, but were outscored 35-17 after intermission.
“We lost our composure,” said coach Gary Beals of the CCHS boys. “We didn't finish shots. It got a little physical and we weren't up to the challenge inside.”
The Chargers continued to struggle at the free throw line, making only 14 of 27, and sank only three of 14 three-point attempts. Tylan Carter had a game-high 16 points for Choctaw County.
The Lady Chargers led for much of the game before Noxubee County took the lead in the third quarter. LaGenesis Johnson, Jalia James, Destinee Love and Raquela Graham each scored 11 points for Choctaw County.
The Chargers and Lady Chargers both finish 2-2 in region play for third place and are assured of making the 3A playoffs which begin Feb. 17 for girls and Feb. 18 for boys.
The final boys standings are Noxubee 4-0, Houston 3-1, Choctaw County 2-2, Aberdeen 1-3 and Hatley 0-4.
The region tournament will be played next week at Houston. Choctaw County will play the host team in the semifinals. Aberdeen an Hatley will play the first game, with the winner facing Noxubee in the semifinals.
For the girls, Noxubee and Aberdeen are both 3-1, but Noxubee is first as a result of an overtime victory when the teams met. Choctaw County plays Aberdeen in the semifinals. Houston and Hatley, both 1-3, meet in the first game, with the winner facing Noxubee.
Choctaw County’s regular season concludes this week with non region games. The Chargers and Lady Chargers played West Point Tuesday and have home games with Eupora Thursday for Senior Night.
The Chargers have five seniors – Tray Jobe, Kendall Coleman, Jared Bellew, Israel Whitmore and Chris White. Johnson and Tyliyah Alston are the only seniors on the girls team,
