Lady Wolves in semis
Published 6:00 am Wednesday, March 4, 2009
CLINTON – Freshmen Shareka Hunt and Latoria Holder provided theCo-Lin Lady Wolves with key points Tuesday night in their 68-63 winover the East Central Community College Lady Warriors in the firstround of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament in A. E. Wood Coliseum atMississippi College.
Hunt, a 5-9 forward from Franklin County, led all Co-Lin scorerswith 21 points, 8 rebounds, plus 3 steals and 2 assists. Holder, a5-8 guard from Lumberton, pumped in 15 points (3 treys), grabbed 7rebounds, made 5 steals and had 5 assists.
“We hustled tonight,” said a smiling Hunt after the win. “Westepped it up. We rebounded real well.”
Holder was also pleased with the win.
“We played a good game,” stated Holder. “We have been workinghard.”
Co-Lin (25-3) meets Meridian tonight at 8 p.m. At 6, statechampion Jones County tackles East Mississippi in the othersemifinals game.
The men play afternoon semifinals games, beginning at the noonand 2 as Holmes faces East Mississippi and Itawamba meets PearlRiver.
In the other women’s games Tuesday, Meridian beat Itawamba87-79, Jones County crushed Southwest 102-64 and East Mississippiclipped Northwest 47-44.
Rebounds were a key as Co-Lin led East Central off thebackboards 23-17 at halftime. At the end, the Lady Wolves held a39-38 advantage.
“East Central has a good team,” said Co-Lin women’s coach GwynYoung. “It was a good win.”
Co-Lin led East Central 31-25 at the half.
The Lady Wolves led all of the second half as the Lady Warriorschipped away at the lead to 5-points, 60-55, with 1:07 seconds leftin the game.
Co-Lin went to the free throw line 11 times in the final 67seconds and came away with 8 points to preserve the win.
The Lady Wolves rushed their offense at times but worked hard onthe backboards and connected at the free throw line.
“We took too many quick shots,” added Young. “But we shot freethrows good.”
Co-Lin finished 27 of 35 on the night, going 8-9 in the firsthalf. East Central was 15-19 overall and 7 of 9 in the firsthalf.
Contributing to the Co-Lin win with 8 points and 6 rebounds wasfreshman guard Rachel Vigers. TeAirra Wilbert finished with 5points and 4 assists.
The Lady Warriors, coached by Bill Smith, were led by Hannah Leewith 18 points. Mystee Dale followed with 17 points. Tops off thebackboards was Rashima Jenkins with 10 rebounds.
Meridian 87, Itawamba 79
Meridian (22-8) was led by Tiara Parker and LaQuita Burroughwith 22 points apiece. Shardae Johnson had 20 points.
Jones Co. 102, Southwest 64
Powering Jones County with 21 points was Ashley Lee. ConsuelaTucker fired in 16 points.
Southwest was led by Ta’Keya Felder with 14 points. Followingwith 11 points was Octavia Bearden.
E. Miss. 47, Northwest 44
East Mississippi got 13 points from Angelique Burtts and 12 fromJasmine Abrams.
Tamara Wadlington led Northwest with 16 points.