Clinton crushes Ole Brook

Published 6:00 am Thursday, December 8, 2005

Brookhaven welcomed Clinton to Sinclair Gymnasium Tuesday nightfor a varsity basketball doubleheader. The twinbill, which wasscheduled for Dec. 12, was moved to last night because of nextweek’s state testing.

The Lady Arrows, the preseason No. 1-ranked team in the state bya Jackson newspaper, authored a 38-25 win over the Brookhaven LadyPanthers.

In the varsity boys game, the Clinton Arrows shot 60 percentfrom the field, and 71 percent from the charity stripe to smash theBrookhaven Panthers 82-36.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Brookhaven posted a 45-32 win over South Pike in the 9th gradegirls game. South Pike jetted pass Brookhaven 44-19 in the 9thgrade boys game.

Brookhaven hosts South Pike for a tripleheader Friday, with theJV boys game getting under way at 5 p.m.

Clinton 38, Brookhaven 25

Clinton (10-0), coached by Felicia Lofton, boasted a trio ofplayers standing 6-foot or better. Their size worked to theiradvantage on the offensive board, scoring 12 points on 6second-chance baskets.

Ole Brook (4-6) kept this game close, trailing 9-6 heading intothe second frame. The Lady Panthers, coached by Billy Holmes, couldnot find the range; but were down by 5 points at the intermissionbreak 20-15.

“We got good shots tonight,” said Coach Holmes. “We just couldnot hit any.”

Neither team shot the ball well, but Clinton used its heightadvantage in the second half to remain unbeaten. The Lady Arrowswere led by point guard Sheena Johnson with 12 points and 6-foot-2senior forward Katorra Lewis with 11.

The Lady Panthers were led by Nikki Byrd with 8 points and 9rebounds. Swayze Black grabbed 6 rebounds and had 3 steals. BlancheWilson, Angel Weston and Portia Dickey each dished out 2assists.

“I am proud of our effort tonight,” added Holmes. “We just haveto start knocking down the open shots.”

Clinton 82, Brookhaven 36

The Arrows (8-2) came out firing on all cylinders, sacking shotsfrom every corner of the floor. An inside/outside game gave Clintonan 18-5 lead after one period, and a 38-18 cushion at halftime. Forthe game, the Hinds County visitors made 32 of their 53 shots fromthe field and 10 of 14 from the free throw line.

Clinton, coached by Bruce Robinson, canned 6 treys in theopening half. Courtney Nelson led 4 Arrows in double figures with16 points.

Ole Brook (1-9) managed only 7 total field goals in the first 16minutes, and 13 for the game. The Panthers, coached by RonaldHines, shot 30 percent (13 of 43) from the floor.

Ole Brook sophomore guard Bobo Rancifer led all scorers with 18points and 6 rebounds. Chris Daniels led off the backboards with 8.Anton Bryant dished out 2 assists and Travis Nelson had 2steals.

Ninth Grade Action

In the 9th grade girls game, Brookhaven’s Ashley Gayten led allscorers with 23 points. Andrea Graham added 15 for head coach TerriHall. South Pike was led by Keedarrylon Gallagher with 15 pointsand China Wheatley with 11.

In the 9th grade boys game, Desmond Arnold paced Brookhaven with8 points. The Panthers are coached by Jerrold Willis.

South Pike got a game-high 10 points from Jermaine Turner andFederell Varnado.