Oxford jolts Lawrence County
Published 6:00 am Thursday, March 1, 2001
JACKSON – Oxford boys coach Drew Tyler knows first-hand whatwinning a state championship is all about. In 1987, Tyler was oneof the Oxford Chargers who captured the boys 4A statechampionship.
Wednesday night at the Mississippi Coliseum, Tyler and theChargers came one step closer to the 4A crown when they pulled outa tough 63-57 win over the Lawrence County Cougars.
The win improved Oxford’s record to 31-7 and sends the Chargersinto next Tuesday’s semifinals against giant-killer Crystal Springsat 8 p.m. Lawrence County finishes the season with a 26-9worksheet.
The game was close all the way until the 4:49 mark in the finalframe. Oxford 6-foot-7 center Andrew Westmoreland nailedback-to-back three pointers that gave the Chargers a four-point55-51 edge over the Cougars. Senior guard Rico McThune nailed afield goal to push Oxford’s lead to six points, 57-51 with 4:04left to play.
Lawrence County senior guard Nick Mikell sacked a jumper toclose the deficit to four points, 57-54 with 3:40 remaining. Oxfordwent to its delay game.
After running nearly two minutes off the clock, Oxford seniorguard Bennie Denton went through Lawrence County’s back door for aone-handed dunk that turned the tempo in favor of the Chargers.
With a five-point, 59-54 lead, the Chargers spread their offenseand began running time off the clock again. In the final minute ofplay, Oxford was 4 of 6 from the charity stripe. Cougar seniorJerry Sims hit his fourth trey of the game at the buzzer to cut thedeficit to six points, 63-57.
“It was nip and tuck and we were nipping,” said Tyler followingthe win. “I didn’t fee comfortable with a five-point lead. Thenwhen we ran the backdoor to Benton, I think that is what broketheir backs.”
The game was tight for the first three quarters with Oxford up20-19 at the end of the first, Lawrence County commanding a 32-30lead at halftime and a 46-45 edge at the end of the third.
“I think we would have had a better chance if we had come readyto play,” said Lawrence County boys coach Bobby Lee. “To me, welooked like we were a half-step to a step slow all night.”
Senior guard Nick Mikell led Lawrence County with 14 points,netting 12 in the second half. Dairius Starks and Sims fired in 12points apiece. Netting 10 points was Tim Horton. Sims and Starksscored 4 treys apiece. Sims grabbed seven rebounds followed byHorton with six.
Powering Oxford with a game-high 25 points, including 3 treys,and nine rebounds was Westmoreland. He scored 16 of his 22 pointsin the second half. Bennie Denton, who played with a bruised knee,pumped in 14 points and Vincent Camper finished with 10 points.
“If he (Westmoreland) will make some stops on the defensive end,he’s definitely one one of our big sparkplugs,” added Tyler.
Lawrence County is no stranger to state championships. Lee andhis Cougars won 4A titles in 1991, 1992 and 1995.
Oxford 63, Lawrence County 57
Lawrence County (57) Nick Mikell 14, Starks 12, Sims 12,Horton 10, Atterberry 6, Fortenberry 3.
Oxford (63) Andrew Westmoreland 25, Denton 14, Camper10, Ivy 6, Burt 7, Barbar 1, McThune 2.
Total fouls: Oxford 16. Lawrence County 8. Fouledout-None. Technicals-None.
Free throws M-A: Oxford 14-17. Loyd Star6-9.
3-point goals: Starks 4, Sims 4, Westmoreland 3, Denton2, Camper.
Lawrence Co 19 13 14 11 – 57
Oxford 20 10 15 18 – 63