MERIDIAN —
Saturday night, Joe Miller and the Southeast Lauderdale girls basketball team ordered the regular — a dominant post defense, solid rebounding, and, of course, a win for the Tigers.
Southeast took down Quitman 58-51 in the Sam Dale championship game Saturday night. The victory improved the Tigers to 17-1 on the season and continued Southeast's torrid start to the 2012-13 season.
“We are having a a good season,” Miller said. “I still feel like we could be undefeated, but those unexpected losses come sometimes. It was important for us to win this tournament in order to get back on track after losing to Gulfport earlier this season.”
Senior post player Crystal Clay led the Tigers, taking home the MVP award after recording 21 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks on the night. Clay scored 17 of those points in the first half and was limited in the second half due to injury.
“Clay was having some back trouble, and Denisha Knight was having some foot trouble,” Miller said. “We were just glad to be able to come out so strong in the first half with the way we played today.”
After jumping out to a 35-15 at the half, Southeast let the Panthers creep back into the game.
Shonte' Hailes hit a mid-court shot at the buzzer right before the half, and continued to lead the Panthers as they chipped away at the lead. The Quitman freshman led the Panthers with a game-high 22 points.
The Panthers brought the deficit to 10 points, when Skyiesha Moss it a 3-pointer to make the score 45-35 with 7:05 left in the game. The Panthers continued to capitalize on poor Southeast ball-handling. However, they were unable to complete the comeback, as the Tigers held on for the win.
“I never felt like we were going to get beat, but I hate to close like that,” Miller said. “I wouldn't say we dominated, but we controlled the first half pretty well. We got complacent, and made too many turnovers in the fourth quarter. I'm disappointed on how we finished, but we will fix that.”
Southeast's duo of post players, Clay and Jasmine Bush accounted for 13 blocks on the night, while tallying 27 rebounds. The two controlled the paint most of the night and forced the Panthers to settle for jump shots throughout the game.
“We did a good job in the post,” Miller said. “We gave up four 3s in the fourth quarter. We played the same defense we did in the first half, we just got tired. On the other side of the coin, you have got to credit (Quitman) they stepped up and made a run.”
Tay Ruffin had a big tournament for the Tigers as well, totaling 15 points and seven rebounds on the night to follow Friday’s 25-point performance against Northeast.
“I feel real comfortable out there,” Ruffin said. “All I got to do is play my game and I'm pretty sure I'll be good. We can be really good if we keep playing like we can.”
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Related Photos
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Southeast Lauderdale's Denisha Knight splits a pair of Quitman defenders as the Tigers try to run out the clock during the Sam Dale championship game at Northeast Lauderdale. Paula Merritt
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Southeast Lauderdale's Kamesha Pringle looks for help as she recovers a loose ball against Quitman's Ameonia House during the Sam Dale championship game at Northeast Lauderdale. Paula Merritt
Discussion
Southeast girls hold off Quitman for title
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(PHOTOS) Newton County Class 4A State Championship
Slideshow from games one and two of the MHSAA Class 4A State Championship.
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Not done yet
After being shutout less than 24 hours earlier, the Newton County Cougars used a 10-inning affair to force a Game 3 in the Class 4A championship series, topping Lewisburg, 2-1, in Game 2 at Trustmark Park.
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Hollins focused on Spurs, not his contract
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He has the Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals for the first time and has won more games with this team than any other coach. -
Slive focused on future after big changes
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He's relaxed and feeling awfully good about the state of the Southeastern Conference.
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’Bama bounces Ole Miss from SEC Tourney
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Cougars fall in Game 1
A sixth inning rally by Lewisburg handed the Newton County Cougars their first lost of the postseason, 2-0, in Game 1 of the Class 4A baseball championship at Trustmark Park.
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Bulldogs win again, beat S. Carolina in SEC Tournament
Demarcus Henderson and Wes Rea both had RBI singles in the ninth inning to lift Mississippi State to a 5-3 win over South Carolina Wednesday night in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament.
The Bulldogs (42-16) loaded the bases with one out before Henderson and Rea drove in runs on consecutive at-bats for the second time in the game.
Mississippi State had beaten Missouri 2-1 in 17 innings Tuesday night, matching the longest game in SEC tournament history.
Reliever Myles Gentry (4-0) limited the Gamecocks (39-17) to a one-out single in the bottom of the ninth.
Gentry pitched 5-2/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out eight.
Rea was 3 for 4 while Henderson drove in three runs.
Mississippi State led 3-0 before South Carolina tied it up in the fourth.
Max Schrock drew a bases loaded walk and Brison Celek followed with a two-run single. -
Hogs top Ole Miss in SEC Tournament
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Fundamentals leading Newton County to Jackson
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