A defensive change and the play of La'Genesis Johnson led Choctaw County to a season-opening 43-32 win over Ethel. Choctaw County trailed 18-13 at the half, but outscored Ethel 18-2 in the third quarter after making the change.
“We went from man-to-man to a 1-3-1, trapping them in the corners,” said coach Mandy Jewell. “We put more pressure on them when they came across half court.”
Johnson, a 6-3 senior, was at the top of the defense. “She's so tall and so long. They couldn't make a pass over her,” Jewell said.
Johnson scored 27 points on 12 of 24 shooting, grabbed 14 rebounds, made four steals and two blocks. All this despite missing some preseason practice while playing volleyball.
“She got a little tired. That's kind of what I expected with her not being in basketball shape because volleyball went right up into basketball,” Jewell said. “I was a little concerned about that, but it really didn't affect her too much. In the first half, she was a little slow getting started. Once she got in the groove she turned it up.”
Tyliyah Alston scored seven points for Choctaw County on 3-5 shooting and had 11 rebounds. Muleyah Yeates contributed 10 rebounds and Raquela Graham had eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Th Choctaw County boys and girls were set to play Ethel Monday in the boys first game of the season. Both teams played Winona Tuesday and have road games with Leake Central Thursday,
Grace Christian boys win two of three
By Laurence Hilliard
Choctaw Plaindealer
Despite playing shorthanded due to injuries, the Grace Christian boys basketball team won two of three games last week. The Eagles defeated Meridian Home School 58-53 and Hebron Christian 54-40, but lost to North New Summit 41-34.
“We are a young team, a team without much varsity experience, and a team that hasn't played a game with our full roster due to injuries,” said first-year coach Jason Morgan. “That said, the kids have great attitudes and a laudable work ethic and we are improving in a hurry. After a tough start to the season, our players are scoring more consistently and getting better every game.”
Bonner Brownlee and Jacob Phillips had big games against Meridian and Hebron Christian. Bonner had a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds in the Meridian game and 16 points and seven rebounds against New Hebron. Phillips contributed 28 points and six rebounds in the win over Meridian and 20 and eight against New Hebron.
Both were in double figures scoring and rebounding in the loss to North New Summit, Brownlee with 14 points and 13 rebounds and Phillips with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“Injuries have plagued us to start the season and I have a very young team,” Morgan said.
Brothers Jacob and Asher Hogue both are out until mid December with broken wrists. Jacob suffered the injury in an early season game and Asher in practice.
“Our defensive effort has been a little inconsistent,” Morgan said. “Sometimes we play good defense. Sometimes we play like a young, inexperienced team. Offensively, we have come a long way. I think there is a lot of potential there.”
The Eagles played Diamond Grove Monday and Amory Christian Tuesday. They have a home game with Mt. Zion Christian of Magee Friday.
GIRLS
Carly Peterson scored in double figure in every game as the Grace Christian girls basketball team opened the season with two wins and three losses.
The Lady Eagles had wins against Kemper Academy 30-27 and Meridian Flyers 42-17. Losses were 41-34 against Laurel Home School, 43-31 to Starkville Christian and 60-26 against Hebron Christian.
“Considering that this is only our second year (with a girls team), they have really improved. They have really stepped up,” said coach Talor Troyer. “They have grown a lot. They have worked hard.
“We're better all around. We're quicker than we were last year. We're smarter than we were last year. We're stronger than we were last year. And it shows in our scoring.”
The game with Laurel Home School showed how much the team has improved. Last year, Grace Christian lost by 43. “They barely beat us by seven this year and we led all three quarters, but lost in the fourth quarter.”
Peterson totaled 74 points in the five games. “She's big for us and she's just a sophomore,” Troyer said.
Others who have played well include senior center Caroline Robbins who scored 11points against Starkville Christian, sophomore point guard Aspen Harris and junior guard Belle Hudson. Harris is a transfer from Winston Academy. “She provides great leadership on the floor,” Traylor said.
Hudson is the team's best outside shooter.
The Lady Eagles played Amory Christian Tuesday and have a home game with Mt. Zion Friday.
