From staff reports





Southeast Lauderdale took control with a big run to start the second half, then the Tigers held on in the fourth quarter for a 65-52 win over Alabama powerhouse Sumter County Thursday night in area high school basketball action.

“We needed a win and this is a big one for us,” Southeast coach Johnny Patrick said of his squad, which improved to 9-12.

Sumter, which won a handful of state championships under Patrick before he retired and moved across the state line, had defeated the Tigers by eight points in a meeting in York, Ala. earlier this season.

In Thursday night’s makeup game, the visiting Wildcats led 14-11 after one quarter but trailed 26-21 at halftime. A 19-5 run by Southeast to open the second half stretched its lead to 19, and the Tigers held on despite 26 points in the fourth quarter by Sumter.

Jerry Wallace scored a game-high 22 points for SEL, while Gabriel Rice added 14. Ed Ruffin scored 12 and Harold Clark had eight.

Sumter got 15 points from Adrian Winn and eight from Chasquin Sullivan.

Southeast’s boys host Choctaw Central tonight and entertain Livingston in a boys-only matchup Saturday night.

— Rocky Higginbotham



Southeast girls 87

Sumter County 46



The Lady Tigers put up 27 points in the first quarter and never looked back, getting a trio of double-doubles in a 41-point victory.

Martika Ivy had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Lucy Ruffin scored 21 points and handed out 13 assists and Pashen Thompson grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds to go with 11 points for Southeast. Brittany Roberts was also in double figures scoring with 13 points.

Southeast, which improved to 25-1, led 27-13 after one quarter and outscored Sumter 45-17 in the second half. The Lady Tigers are ranked No. 2 in Class 3A and No. 6 overall in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger statewide polls.

Sumter’s Jamesha Watkins led the visiting Lady Wildcats with 18 points.

Southeast’s girls host Choctaw Central tonight in a Division 5-3A game then — in a schedule switch — will take on host Newton in the Newton Classic Saturday at 7 p.m.

— Rocky Higginbotham



JUCO BASKETBALL

Meridian women 83

Hinds 63



Dana Parker nailed seven 3-pointers and visiting MCC coasted to a 20-point win over Hinds in a South Division matchup.

Parker finished with a game-high 22 points, while All-American NaDosha Strickland pumped i 20 for the Lady Eagles. Freshman Tiara Parker of Meridian tossed in 16 points.

Hinds was led by Tiffany Williams, who scored 15 points.

No. 25 ranked MCC, which improved to 16-3 overall and 6-2 in the South Division, led 49-29 at halftime.

The Lady Eagles will be back at home Monday, hosting nationally-ranked rival East Central in another division matchup.

— Rocky Higginbotham



Meridian men 73

Hinds 68



The Eagles made it a clean sweep with a tight win over host Hinds Thursday night.

MCC was clinging to a 39-38 lead at halftime and ran its record to 11-8 overall on the season. Coach George Brooks’ squad is now 5-3 in division action.

Brooks had four players in double figures, led by Mario Lucket’s 21 points. Regis Huddleston scored 16 points, Otis Williams scored 15 and Thomas Brown scored 10.

Hinds got 21 points from Armon Higgins.

MCC returns home Monday to host East Central.

— Rocky Higginbotham



EMCC gets swept …



Both East Mississippi teams fell in North Division action at Northwest Mississippi in Senatobia on Thursday.

The Lions lost a 78-68 decision to drop to 4-3 in division play, while the Lady Lions fell 61-58 to fall to 3-4 in the league. Both squads are 9-10 overall.

No other details were available.

EMCC will be in action again next Thursday, hosting Mississippi Delta in Scooba.

— Rocky Higginbotham