from combined reports
SCOOBA – The East Mississippi basketball teams both prevailed on the road Monday evening, with the Lions claiming a 91-75 victory against Bevill State in Jasper, Ala., and the EMCC women posting a 70-57 triumph at Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The Lions improved to 8-1 on the year with the 16-point road win — their fifth in as many outings away from home this season.
Preseason NJCAA All-American CoCo Ware led the Lions with 22 points for his third 20-point outing of the season.
Former Southeast Lauderdale standout Marino Thompson tallied his third double-digit effort in the past four games with 15 points. Fellow freshmen Anthony Alexander and Donovan Walker of Meridian followed with 14 and 11 points, respectively, for the winners.
The EMCC men return to the hardwood next week by playing at Jones County on Monday.
The EMCC women snapped a two-game losing skid with their first-day tournament win against the Bulldogs in the MGCCC-hosted Gulf Coast Classic. The Lions built on their 37-28 halftime lead throughout the second stanza before settling with the 13-point outcome.
With 10 EMCC players contributing in the scoring column, reigning all-state forward Martika Hull of Southeast Lauderdale teamed with freshman forward Skylar Barnes to lead the Lions with 15 points apiece.
Now 4-3 on the season, the Lions take on Pearl River Tuesday at noon in second-day tournament action of the Gulf Coast Classic, being played at Weathers/Wentzell Center on the Perkinston campus.
— from school reports
JUCO FOOTBALL
Several Warriors earn postseason honors
Several East Central Community College football players received MACJC honors following the 2009 campaign.
Quarterback Emmanuel Taylor and offensive lineman Jared Fleming were named first-team All-State and defensive back Elijah Tanksley of Meridian was named second team.
Taylor, a 5-10, 180-pound sophomore, finished the season ranked third in passing after completing 154 of 277 passes for 2,241 yards and 15 touchdowns. He averaged 249 yards passing per contest. He also threw nine interceptions. Taylor led EC in rushing with 627 yards on 98 carries, a 6.4-yard average per carry. He averaged 69.7 yards per game.
The Warrior passing offense was ranked fourth in state. EC had the second-best overall offense, averaging 423.6 yards per contest.
Fleming played a key role in the Warriors’ success on offense. He is regarded one of the league’s best blockers.
Tanksley, a 6-3, 195-pound former Meridian standout, was second in interceptions with six.
The Warriors finished 2-7 overall and 0-6 in the MACJC South Division.
— from school reports
LATE BASKETBALL
Leake Academy girls 64
Oak Hill Academy 56
Oak Hill overcame a 16-9 deficit following the first quarter to tie the game Thursday at 50 heading into the fourth. Following an 11-11 fourth quarter, Leake Academy finally pulled away for the win, outscoring the Raiders 13-5 in the extra session.
Jessi Powers led Leake with 23 points and five steals. She also added three assists. Jenny Wilbanks added a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Hannah Peoples scored 13 points and Emily Kea had a team-high 15 boards.
Oak Hill was led by Tori Ellis with 21 and Bonnie Riley with 20.
— Jamie Wachter
Leake Academy girls 63
Starkville Academy 47
The Rebels grabbed an early lead on the road Saturday and pulled away for a double-digit lead by halftime behind a triple-double from Emily Kea.
Kea had 25 points, 14 rebounds and 10 steals to pace Leake (7-1), which led 35-20 at the half.
Hannah Peoples added 18 point and Jenny Wilbanks scored 12 and pulled down eight boards.
Maggie Gladney led Starkville with 24 points and Kylie Lockhart added 10 for the Volunteers.
Leake hosts Pass Christian today.
— Jamie Wachter
