Kendall Coleman made four free throws in the final minute, enabling Choctaw County to begin Region 4-3A play with a 57-54 victory over South Pontotoc. The victory followed an 83-43 loss to Kosciusko in the Chargers' first game following Christmas break
“We played a lot better,” coach Gary Beals said of the win against South Pontotoc. “Against Kosciusko, we didn't make plays. We ran out of gas in the second half.”
Choctaw County trailed South Pontotoc most of the game. The Chargers were down 17-8 after one period, 29-22 at the half and 41-38 through three quarters before outscoring the Cougars 19-13 in the final period. A steal and basket by Ques McNeal and a follow basket by Jared Bellew put the Chargers in position to win the game on Coleman's free throws.
Coleman finished with a team-high 18 points and 7 steals. It was only his second game because he had to sit out the first semester after transferring from French Camp. He cramped up against Kosciusko in the second half, scoring only six points.
“He was trying to do too much,” Beals said. “He was trying to hit grand slams, not base hits.”
Bellew scored 10 points against South Pontotoc and the Chargers were plus 15 when he was on the court. Zavier Coleman contributed six assists and four steals. Carson Newell had a game-high 22 points for South Pontotoc.
The Chargers had 18 steals and forced 27 turnovers.
Trey Jobe and Logan Murphy had eight points each against Kosciusko. Fifteen players scored for Kosciusko, led by Davion Roby, O'Carya Forrest and Terry Skinner with 12 points each.
GIRLS
Raquela Graham capped a comeback by the Lady Chargers with a basket in the final seconds for a 43-41 victory over Kosciusko.
“We were down 22-8 and made some necessary defensive changes for the second half,” said coach Mandy Jewell. “We pressured the ball full court and got some easy baskets on steals. I was proud of how hard they fought to give us the 43-41 win.”
Graham scored off a pass from Amelia Pratt. La’Genesis Johnson led the Lady Chargers with 20 points. Alysia Weeks had 15.
Kosciusko is coached by Cory Guyton, who coached Choctaw County to the third round of the 3A playoffs last year.
Choctaw County was defeated by South Pontotoc 42-36. “We turned the ball over too much,” Jewel said. “They wanted a fast paced game and we played into their hands too many times. We got into foul trouble and that was a big part of the six-point loss.”
Weeks scored 15 point and Johnson 13.
“We have gotten a lot better and the girls have great attitudes about the slow process of getting used to their new coach and my game strategies,” Jewell said. “They listen to my game adjustments and are starting to execute, which is keeping us in games. We just have to learn how to finish”.
Both Choctaw County teams played Houston in region games Tuesday and will host Louisville Thursday. The Lady Chargers will play East Webster Saturday at the Mid Mississippi Challenge hosted by Choctaw County.
