MERIDIAN —
Powered by a double-double from Dennis Miles, the top-seeded Meridian High boys basketball team dispatched of host Petal on Thursday night in a Division 5-6A tournament elimination game.
The Wildcats, who improved to 23-5, will face Hattiesburg, a 65-62 winner against Oak Grove, today for the division championship.
Miles, a Dandy Dozen selection by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks to pace Meridian, which jumped on top of the Panthers 18-8 following the first quarter. The Wildcats stretched that lead to 34-14 at halftime before cruising from there.
Devonte Brewster and Torlorf Thomas each added 17 points for the Wildcats, who remained perfect against division competition this season.
Meridian girls 52
Oak Grove 45
The Wildcats trailed by 10 at halftime but staged a late rally to force overtime in the first game of the Division 5-6A tournament at Petal, and then shut down the Warriors in the extra session.
Trailing 31-21 at the break following an 11-2 Oak Grove run, Meridian pulled within 39-35 entering the fourth. The Wildcats then knotted it at 43 following regulation before pulling away in overtime to advance to the division championship game at 6 p.m. Meridian will face Hattiesburg, which defeated Petal 58-38.
Kayla Gordon, also a Dandy Dozen selection, led MHS with 27 points, 11 rebounds and four steals.
W. Lauderdale 57
Quitman boys 53
The Knights continued their surge in the Division 5-4A tournament by taking down the second-seeded Panthers in a semifinal game at Laurel.
West, which finished the regular season sixth in the division, toppled third-seeded Newton County in an elimination game Tuesday before knocking off Quitman.
Vince Watkins led the Knights with 17 points, while JD Williams added 13. West will play Laurel, an 81-50 winner against Northeast Jones for the division championship at 8:30 p.m. today.
Quitman girls 36
NE Lauderdale 17
The top-seeded Panthers defeated the Trojans to advance to today’s 7 p.m. championship game. No further details were reported.
Sports
MHS boys, girls reach title games
- Sports
-
-
Titles nothing new for Newton County
Newton County captured its seventh fast-pitch state championship, outscoring defending champion Houston 26-3 in two games. The Cougars took home the title despite not having a single senior on their roster –– still, few were surprised.
-
Embry completes 5A title sweep
In his first year coaching the Neshoba Central softball team, Trae Embry won two state titles but wouldn't take all the credit.
-
Morgan takes runner-up at Nationals
Meridian Community College golfer, TJ Morgan, from Bruce, MS, tied for the
individual medalist at the NJCAA D1 National Championship held in Lubbock, TX, but lost on the first hole of a playoff. TJ shot 7 under for the tournament with a 76 on the first day followed by 68, 67 and a last round 70. Aksel Olsen from Wallace State Community College won the playoff. TJ was named First Team All-American for his high finish. -
MSU’s Renfroe wins Ferriss Trophy
The first time Mississippi State coach John Cohen saw Hunter Renfroe play baseball, he marveled at his natural ability.
Three years later, he's also in awe of his work ethic. -
(PHOTOS) Enterprise in the Class 2A State Championship
Slideshow of Enterprise in the Class 2A State Championship fast pitch series.
-
(PHOTOS) Newton County wins Class 4A
Slideshow of Newton County in the Class 4A State Championship fast pitch series.
-
(PHOTOS) Neshoba wins Class 5A
Slideshow of Neshoba Central in the Class 5A State Championship fast pitch series.
-
Newton County beats Houston 10-0 to claim 7th fast-pitch championshi
Players from Newton County’s dugout barely made it to the foul line before a celebratory dogpile ensued here Saturday. Indeed, winning never gets old.
The Lady Cougars blanked Houston 10-0 Saturday at Freedom Ridge Park, completing an easy sweep of their best-of-three, Class 4A State Championship Series and gaining a measure of revenge after falling short a year ago. -
Rockets roar by East Central, claim 5A crown
Trae Embry took somewhat of a gamble when he accepted the softball
coaching job at Neshoba Central -- leaving his hometown and his comfort zone for a
new opportunity. - Newton County wins state
- More Sports Headlines
-
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
