Cobras meet Dexter in finals tonight
Published 6:00 am Thursday, December 30, 2004
WESSON — The Wesson Cobras will defend their tournament titletonight against the Dexter Bulldogs in the championship game of theWesson Invitational Tournament. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
The boys consolation game features a matchup between North Pikeand Franklinton, La., set for 4:30.
In Wednesday night’s games, Wesson dumped Franklinton, La.,74-50 and Dexter nipped North Pike 64-63 in overtime. NatchezCathedral crushed St. Aloysius 64-47 in the loser’s bracket.
Wesson 74, Franklinton, La. 50
Coach Ron Kessler’s Cobras (9-5) pounced on winless Franklinton20-9 in the first quarter and pushed their lead to 40-21 at thehalf. Going into the final frame, Wesson commanded a 56-33lead.
“They (Franklinton) were a lot bigger team,” said Kesslerfollowing the win. “We shot the ball extremely well. Defensively,we’re getting better. The team defensively has improved.”
Powering Wesson with 17 points was Adrien Merchant. Collin Kingfired in 16 points. Adrian King netted 11 points followed by MasonWarren with 10.
The Cobras shot well from 3-point range, nailing nine. AdrianKing led with three followed by Collin King and Merchant with twoapiece. Following with one were Blake Pickett and Hood.
The leading scorer for Franklinton, La. was Andre Pope with agame-high 25 points.
Dexter 64, North Pike 63
Dexter (9-5) outscored North Pike (3-9) 5-4 in overtime toadvance to the title game tonight. At the end of regulation, thegame deadlocked at 59-all.
“Dexter is a good ball club,” said North Pike boys coach KeithRuss. “We had mental mistakes down the stretch.”
The Jaguars led the Bulldogs by 11 points, 43-32 with sevenminutes left to play as Dexter came back to tie it in the finalminute of regulation.
Directing Dexter with a game-high 27 points was Rico Haynes.Haynes was 8 of 14 from the free throw line, scoring the final twofreebies with 1.4 seconds left in overtime to take the win. KyronCotton followed with 13 points.
North Pike was led by Landon Morgan’s 20 points. Erik Robinsonscored 15 points followed by Aaron Powell with 10.
Natchez Cathedral 64, St. Aloysius 47
Matt Goss sparked Cathedral with 23 points. Matthew Hallfinished with 14.
Leading St. Al with 14 points was Chase Smith.