Wesson sweeps St. Joe
Published 6:00 am Monday, January 19, 2004
WESSON — The Wesson Cobras swept three games from the theMadison St. Joseph Bruins Friday night in Division 6-2A basketballaction.
The Wesson boys knocked off Madison St. Joe 52-47, the LadyCobras clipped the Lady Bruins 46-43 in varsity action. The juniorhigh Cobras pounded the Bruins 50-28.
Wesson 52, Madison St. Joe 47
The win was the first district victory for the Wesson boys(8-10, 1-6). Madison St. Joe, coached by Keith Barnes, fell to 6-16and 1-3 in district play.
St. Joe jumped on Wesson for a 13-8 lead at the end of the firstquarter. At halftime, the Cobras had cut the deficit to fourpoints, 24-20.
Wesson turned the game around in the second half. The Cobrasoutscored the Bruins 12-2 in the third quarter to take a 32-26 leadin going into the final frame.
The Cobras maintained the lead down the stretch, slowing thegame down and forcing the Bruins to foul to stop the clock.
“It was a big win for us,” said Wesson first-year head coach RonKessler following the win. “It was our first district win. It couldbe a spark for us.”
Senior center Herman Johnson led the Cobras with 16 points and11 rebounds. Johnson scored 14 points in the second half. MasonWarren netted 11 points followed by Collin King with 10 points andeight rebounds.
Leading Madison St. Joe with 12 points was Terrance Bailey.Scoring 11 points was Reggie Hicks.
“We made some big shots,” added Kessler. “Everyonecontributed.”
On the downside, the Cobras were horrible from the free throwline, hitting 15 out of 33. The Bruins finished 10-of-15.
Kessler had some changes in his starting lineup. Guard WadeWilliams was on the bench with a cast on his wrist for a possiblecracked bone. His expected time to return is unknown. Kessler saida few players on the bench did not see action because they werebeing disciplined for breaking team rules.
Wesson 46, Madison St. Joe 43
In the girls game, Wesson needed a big play at the end andforward Megan Allen came through. With 3 seconds left, Allenblocked a three-point shot by Brittney Daniels to help preserve thewin.
Wesson trailed Madison St. Joe 12-5 in the first quarter and20-19 at halftime. The Lady Cobras outscored the Lady Bruins 9-7 inthe third quarter for a 28-27 lead going in to the final frame.
Both teams struggled from the free throw line. Wesson was 11 of23 and Madison St. Joe finished 15 of 29.
“We played hard,” stated Wesson girls coach Jemmye Ann Helms.”Anna Johnson really stepped it up. Our guards handled theirfull-court press better.”
Johnson, a senior center, was the leading scorer for the LadyCobras (6-11, 3-4) with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Hayley Carrfired in eight points and made six steals before fouling out with27 seconds left to play. Allen pulled down eight rebounds.
For the St. Joe girls, NeAisha Anderson led with 17 points. TheLady Bruins, coached by LaTonya Carter, fell to 1-3 in the districtand 5-9 overall on the season.
Junior high boys
Phil Fortenberry’s 14 points sparked the Cobras to a 50-28 win.Brandt Hood picked up nine points followed by Warren with eightpoints.
The Bruins got 14 points from DeJeren Thomas and 10 fromTerrance Bailey.
Wesson travels to St. Andrew’s Tuesday for more districtaction.