They started playing basketball at the Mid Mississippi Challenge hosted by Choctaw County at 9:30 Saturday morning and finished up more than 13 and a half hours later with the completion of nine games.
“It was a huge success,” said boys coach Gary Beals. “A lot of close games. We had nice crowds all day long.”
This was the 10th year for the tournament. Beals gave thanks to everyone involved.
Sponsors were Crowson Auto World of Louisville, Fair Oil Company of Louisville, Dakota Brasher Alfa Insurance of Ackerman ad the Choctaw County Board of Supervisors.
Participants during the long day of basketball included PA announcer Mike Pearson, Mariann Beals with the scorebook, clock operator Robert Black and Chris Threadgill, who streamed games on the Charger network. Beals also acknowledged support from Choctaw County superintendent Glen Beard, principal Amber Vowell and athletic director Jim Wood.
In the final two games of the day, both Choctaw County teams came up short. The Lady Chargers were outscored by Tupelo Christian 19-11 in the fourth quarter in a 41-40 defeat and the Chargers lost to Louisville 78-68 despite a strong fourth quarter rally.
Both teams were plagues by poor free throw shooting.
The Lady Chargers trailed 41-37 when LaGenesis Johnson went to the free throw line with 20.6 second left with a chance to tie the game. She had four shots resulting from a foul and a technical. Johnson made the first three, but missed the fourth shot.
Because of the technical, Choctaw County had the ball out of bounds, but missed two shots.
In the early part of the game, it looked like Choctaw County would win easily, taking an 11-1 lead early in the second quarter, with Johnson scoring all 11 points. Tupelo Christian was held scoreless until Jasmine Steinman, an eighth grader, made a free throw with 1:19 left in the first quarter and the Lady Eagles did not make a field goal until midway through the second period.
Choctaw County made only two of 15 first half free throws, allowing Tupelo Christian to pull within 14-12 at the half. The Lady Chargers stretched the lead to 29-20 late in the third quarter, but Tupelo Christian scored the next eighth points,
The Lady Eagles took their first lead of the game, 34-33, on two free throws by Steinman with 4:29 remaining and went ahead to stay at 37-35 on a three-point shot by Ainsley Hale with 2:52 left.
Johnson had a game-high 24 points. Steinman led Tupelo Christian with 10 points,
Tupelo Christian's fourth quarter comeback was spurred by a full court press that forced numerous turnovers. “We couldn't handle the pressure,” said coach Mandy Jewell. “Turnovers and free throws got us.”
Choctaw County improved at the line in the second half, 15 of 25, to finish 17 of 40.
The Chargers weren't much better at free throw shooting in the loss to Louisville, converting 20 of 40. “Too may missed free throws,” Beals said. “We just have trouble from the free throw line. That’s our Achilles heel.”
Choctaw County scored the first four points on baskets by Zay Coleman and Tray Jobe, but Louisville scored the next 11.
On the strength of five 3-pointers, Louisville led 27-10 after one period. The Wildcats stretched the lead to 43-24 at the half and 62-38 through three quarters. Led by Jared Bellew, Choctaw County scored 11 straight points to start the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 62-49 with five minutes left. The Chargers pulled within 73-65 with a minute and a half left on two baskets by Bellew, but Louisville iced the game by making five straight free throws.
Bellew finished with a game-high 27 points, 23 in the second half.
Other Mid Mississippi Challenge Results are as follows:
East Webster girls 59, McAdams 44
Shanayshia Culpepper led East Webster with 19 points. Makeria Griffin scored 17 for McAdams.
Winona boys 53, East Webster 45 – Kaleb Rush had 24 points for the Tigers and Reid Gatlin 17 for East Webster.
New Site girls 62, Louisville 60
New Site outscored Louisville15-10 in the fourth quarter for the victory. Hannah Campbell led four New Site players in double figures with 18 points. Saydee Taylor had 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists. New Site, the top-ranked team in 2A, improved to 24-1. Louisville, defending 4A state champion, was led by Areyanna Hunger with 24 points.
Ripley boys 62, Choctaw Central 51
Ripley senior Jesus Reudas was the day's top scorer with 29 points. Gerald Isom had 17 for Choctaw Central. It was the 14th consecutive win for Ripely, the second ranked team in 4A with an 18-2 record.
Meridian girls 57, Choctaw Central 32
The tournament's feature matchup between Meridian, top-ranked in the state, and third-ranked Choctaw Central turned into a rout. Dabreasha Powe hd 18 points and 12 rebounds for Meridian, which remained unbeaten against Mississippi competition. Meloney Thames scored 12 points for Choctaw Central, the top-ranked team in 4A.
Pontotoc girls 57, Germantown 56
Amber McCoy hit a layup with 2.6 seconds left as Pontotoc erased an eight-point deficit in the final three minutes with a 10-1 run. Samya Brooks scored 19 points for Pontotoc and Alana Rouser 12 for Germantown. Pontotoc is 18-3 with a five-game winning streak and Germantown 18-4 with the end of a six-game winning streak.
Pontotoc boys 72, Southeast Lauderdale 49
The Pontotoc boys dd not need the dramatics of the girls team. The Warriors outscored Southeast Lauderdale 21-7 in the second quarter for a 45-25 halftime lead and led by 30 points in the fourth quarter. Caleb Hobson had 17 points for Pontotoc, Joshua Randle 14 for Southeast Lauderdale.
Holmes County Central girls team was scheduled to participate, but pulled out and was replaced by McAdams.
