West Lauderdale had one goal in mind Saturday during the final game of the Lauderdale County Schools girls soccer tournament at Northeast Park: Start quickly.
The Knights did just that, netting a pair of early goals against Clarkdale on the way to the 2-0 win that wrapped up the tournament title following a 1-0 win against Northeast Lauderdale and 3-0 win against Southeast Lauderdale earlier in the day.
Playing the Bulldogs two days earlier, West had to battle through a scoreless first-half tie to pull out a 3-0 win. With the tournament rules of 20-minute halves, Knights coach Sonja Rowell was worried about the effect another slow start would have.
"We expected the challenge like we got the other night where they just held us and held us and held us and we couldn't get anything going," she said. "We knew (Saturday) with the shortened game that we were going to have to get going early or we'd probably be in a tie or they'd pop one in on us."
Those worries were for naught as Hannah Scott scored twice early in the first half off assists from Ashlyn Pope and Baleigh Germany. Scott's first goal came off a rebound as Clarkdale keeper Amber Spann stopped her first attempt. Later, Scott lofted a shot from the left side over Spann and into the right corner of the goal.
"Hannah got us up pretty quick," Rowell added. "She kind of caught the keeper cheating up and kind of just chipped it over."
The Knights continued their attack in the second half, but were unable to add to the lead as Sarah Harris made saves on Germany and Ninochka Gomez on breakaways.
In other games, West got a goal from from Gomez off a Lacy Billings assist to edge Northeast 1-0.
Gomez then added three goals in a 3-0 Knight win against Southeast. Kayte Ford and Tori Taylor assisted for West.
Caroline Kennard scored Clarkdale’s lone goal in a 1-0 win against Southeast, while Harris earned the win in goal with a shutout.
Harris registered another win and shutout in the Bulldogs' second game as Kayla Phillips scored for Clarkdale in a 1-0 win against Northeast.
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Fast start propels West girls to unbeaten crown
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Neshoba Central's Victoria Stewart got the inbound pass with 12 seconds. The Starkville defender pressed her toward the sideline, but Stewart would have none of it. The senior raced up the middle of the floor, studdered and headed right toward the basket. The senior jumped and layed the ball off of the backboard. The roar of the crowd told her what she needed to know - the shot went in and overtime loomed.
- Area Roundup: KA girls keep rolling
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Knights advance to title round
The West Lauderdale Lady Knights survived a scare against the Laurel Tornadoes beating them 54-51. The Lady Knights came back from a first half 13 point deficit to ultimately claim their spot in the 5-4A division title game. “I am so proud of our girls,” said Lady Knights coach Amy Fairchild. “This is by far the best game that we have ever had since I have been the WL coach here.”
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Choctaw, SEL advance to title game
As expected, Choctaw Central and Southeast Lauderdale will meet tonight for the Division 5-3A Tournament girls’ championship.
But the old rivals advanced to the tourney finals in very different fashion here Thursday night. -
Kemper survives Southeast Lauderdale in OT
Southeast Lauderdale’s boys were hoping to ride the momentum of one of their most impressive victories of the season.
Kemper County was simply looking to survive and advance. In the end, the Wildcats did so – barely. -
All-American
Kemper County High School basketball standout Devonta Pollard made his desire to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game no secret – mentioning it as a goal on more than one occasion during the last couple of seasons.
Thursday afternoon, that goal became a reality. -
Clarkdale downs Puckett at buzzer
Crystal Clay barely beat the final horn, but her shot in the lane carried Clarkdale to a 48-46 MHSAA Division 6-2A semifinal win over Puckett on Thursday.
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Young Eagles expect some growing pains in 2012
The 2012 edition of the Meridian Community fast-pitch team will sport a multitude of new faces when it hits the field Friday for its season opener. The Eagles lost seven sophomores from last year as well as two returning freshmen.
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Meridian splits with Southern Shreveport
The Meridian Community College Eagles won its second straight Miss-Lou Conference game by defeating Southern Shreveport by a final score of 68-66.
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Back in the spotlight
SCOOBA – Sporting a current 12-game winning streak, the East Mississippi Community College men’s basketball team has re-entered the NJCAA Division I Top 20 tied for 19th nationally in this week’s poll. Head coach Mark White’s 15-2 EMCC Lions tipped off the current season ranked seventh nationally on the strength of back-to-back NJCAA National Tournament appearances in Hutchinson, Kan.
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