Enterprise muscle too much for Bears

Published 6:00 am Monday, December 17, 2001

Enterprise conducted a course in Basic Rebounding Friday nightand overwhelmed the host West Lincoln Bears 72-55 in Jack CaseGymnasium. The Yellow Jackets dominated the backboards and usedtheir full-court press to take a 43-27 halftime lead, powered byRufus Allen’s 18 points.

Enterprise resumes play Monday night at North Pike. West Lincolnplays at Bogue Chitto the same night.

Allen was followed by Pierre Harthorne with 17 points andShermaine Vaughn with 15. All three were starters on Enterprise’sstate playoff football team. They didn’t start basketball practiceuntil after the Nov. 16 playoff loss at Pelahatchie.

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Enterprise head coach Billy Vaughn is looking for improvement inhis team as the season progresses. “We must learn to play at afaster pace and we must be more aggressive.”

The Jackets (3-3, 3-2) were plenty aggressive against WestLincoln. Their 29 rebounds were complimented by a basket full ofsteals. Vaughn accounted for 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Allen had 6rebounds and 4 steals. Kary Brown had 4 assists and 3 steals. BillyReeves grabbed 5 rebounds.

Offensively, the Jackets broke loose for 27, first-quarterpoints, closely resembling the maroon-clad Dexter Bulldogs who wonlast season’s Division 7-1A championship. Dexter boasted strengthand quickness, eventually winning the state tournament title.

“Enterprise has a very physical and quick team,” said WestLincoln coach Andy Smithie. He coached the Enterprise boys forthree years before leaving two years ago.

“Enterprise shot the ball very well,” Smithie continued. “Wehave to work harder on beating the press in practice.”

West Lincoln (7-5, 2-1) relied heavily on its perimetershooting. The Bears got 18 points each from forward Luke Lofton andguard Cody Mitchell. Sam Collins added 10 points and 5rebounds.

On the boards, Lofton had 5 rebounds. Mitchell made 5assists.

Enterprise maintained its steals and layups routine in the thirdquarter and led by as much as 21 points, 53-32 on a jumper by themuscular Vaughn who played linebacker and was named Most ValuableDefensive Player in Region 4-1A football.

Junior High Action

In the junior high boys game, West Lincoln (8-2) beat Enterprise35-23, directed by Shane Lynch with 22 points. Stephen Jones added6 points and Patrick Ayers 5.

Enterprise got 11 points from Terrell May and 8 from MattFloyd.