The Clarkdale girls basketball team led 25-21 at the half and never looked back edging out a 49-46 victory against Southeast Lauderdale on Friday night in prep basketball action.

Clarkdale (14-7, 2-4 in Region 5-3A) was led by Crystal Clay with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Lindsey Beard also finished the night with 13 points. Charmane Tims added 10.

Rachael Adams led the Tigers with 22 points.

Clarkdale will be back in action tonight at home against Enterprise.

– Josh Taylor



Clarkdale boys 54

SE Lauderdale 45



Clarkdale took a convincing region win against county rival Southeast Lauderdale on the hardwood Friday night.

The Bulldogs (11-7, 3-3 in Region 5-3A) were led by Cody Walls with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Kasey Hinton added 13 points, while Jonathan McMillan added 11.

The Tigers (2-13, 0-6) were led by Ed Ruffin with 19 points.

Clarkdale will be back in action tonight at home against Enterprise.

– Josh Taylor



Wayne Academy 39

Lamar girls 35



The Jaguars closed out the regular season with a come-from-behind home win against the Raiders.

Wayne, which tied the game at 20 at the half, trailed 30-29 entering the fourth quarter.

Kelli Durr led Wayne (22-4) with 13 points, while Katrina Lofton added 12.

Lamar was paced by Mary Margaret Arrington’s 18 points — all coming on 3-pointers.

The Jaguars return to action Feb. 2 in the region tournament at home.

– Jamie Wachter



Quitman 73

Laurel boys 49



The Panthers earned a season split with the Golden Tornadoes at home Friday night.

Quitman, which improved to 11-5 and 5-2 in Region 5-4A, was led by Phylandus Powe’s 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Marcus Heidelberg added 15 points and Jamien Evans scored 12 points and handed out five assists for the Panthers, who travel to West Lauderdale on Tuesday.

Desmond Bridges led Laurel, who fell to 4-3 in the region, with 16 points.

– Jamie Wachter



Quitman 79

Laurel girls 35



Relanda McFarland led four Panthers in double figures Friday night with 25 as Quitman rolled to a home region win.

The Panthers (12-5, 5-2 in Region 5-4A) also received 12 points from Elyssa McKenzie, 11 points from Ameonia House and 10 from Apeyuna Doby. Quitman visits West Lauderdale on Tuesday.

Laurel was led by Brittany Stevenson’s 11 points.

-Jamie Wachter



Kemper County boys 87

Choctaw Central 86



The Wildcats pulled off an overtime thriller at home Friday behind a game-high 19 points from Devonta Pollard.

Steffon Fuller added 15 points for Kemper, while Cornelius Jones scored 12 and Toman Rencher added 10 for the Wildcats, who led 46-36 at the half.

The Warriors were paced by Lee McMillan’s 17 points.

Kemper hosts Southeast Lauderdale on Tuesday, while Choctaw visits Philadelphia.

– Jamie Wachter



Choctaw Central 56

Kemper County girls 49



Kristen Dixon scored a game-high 15 to lead the visiting Warriors to a Region 5-3A win Friday.

Kemper County was led by Shaquayla Johnigan’s 12 points. Chadisty Hickman and Kundriay Spencer each added 11 for the Wildcats.

The Warriors travel to Philadelphia on Tuesday, while Kemper County hosts Southeast Lauderdale.

– Jamie Wachter



Newton County 72

Mendenhall 61



The Cougars moved into first place in Region 6-4A on Friday night behind 32 points from Hakeem Wesley.

Newton County (13-5, 6-2) also received 18 points from Chiziley Chapman.

The Cougars visit Neshoba Central on Friday.

– Jamie Wachter



PREP SOCCER

Meridian girls 5

Hattiesburg 0



Chelsea Byrd scored two goals and handed out an assist in leading the Wildcats (8-4) to a season-ending win at Ray Stadium on Friday.

Maggie Freyaldenhoven added two assists, while Kelli Offenburger, Khalyn Harmon and Meme Huff all scored lone goals.

The Wildcats lose seniors Byrd — the season MVP and Valerie Smith.

– Jamie Wachter



LATE JUCO BASKETBALL

East Mississippi 62

Holmes women 47



In Thursday’s opener, the Lions improved to 9-8 overall and 3-2 in MACJC North Division play with the 15-point victory. Sophomore forward Martika Hull paced the EMCC women by posting her fourth straight double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The former Southeast Lauderdale standout now has seven double-doubles on the season and 14 for her EMCC career.

  Natalie Tate Jacquelyn Carothers added 17 and 10 points, respectively, for EMCC. Tiffany Williams was the only Bulldog player in double figures with 14 points.

EMCC hosts to Northeast Mississippi on Monday.

– Jamie Wachter







East Mississippi 87

Holmes men 54



Winners of seven of their last eight decisions, the Lions raised their overall mark to 15-3 on the year and 4-1 in North Division play with the impressive 33-point road victory. After leading 42-26 at the break, the EMCC lead ballooned to 38 points in the second half.

  With EMCC’s win at Holmes, coupled with Itawamba’s 77-72 loss at Mississippi Delta on Thursday, the Lions have taken sole possession of first place in the North Division. ICC now trails the 4-1 Lions with a 4-2 division mark, followed by Holmes, Delta and Northeast Mississippi all at 3-2 in league play.

  Preseason NJCAA All-American CoCo Ware led EMCC with 21 points, nine rebounds and four steals. Sophomore guard Terence Bennett matched his career high with 18 points and added four assists. Freshman Deonte Alexander also scored in double figures for the Lions with 14 points.

  Jonathan Ratliff was the only Bulldog player in double digits with a game-high 22 points.

– Jamie Wachter



Jones County 91

Meridian women 64



JCJC scored the game’s first seven points at home Thursday and never looked back, racing out to a 22-9 lead just seven minutes in, but MCC fought back.

The Eagles outscored Jones 13-3 over the next four minutes and trimmed the margin to 25-22 with nine minutes left when LaDarica Campbell scored. However, the Bobcats regained control, ended the half on a 19-7 run and led 44-29 at intermission.

MCC would get no closer in the second half.

Ashley Lee had another solid outing with 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Bobcats.

Sharda’e Johnson and Campbell had 11 each for Meridian, while Tiara Logan and Brittany Bohannon had 10 each.

The Eagles fell to 14-4 on the season.

– Jamie Wachter



Jones County 99

Meridian men 69



MCC led 6-5 early, but the Bobcats went on a 9-0 run, capped by two Todd McDonald free throws, and took a 14-6 lead with 16:14 showing in the first half. Nic Combs hit a 3-pointer with 12:11 showing to give Jones a 26-12 lead

The Eagles got a 3-pointer from Cameron Bradley with 8:19 left to get within 34-25, but that was the final time they would be within single digits. Another Combs’ trey gave JCJC its longest lead of the first half at 55-32 with 2:15 to play.

The Bobcats led 55-36 at halftime and continued their surge in the second half.

Brandon Wilson, a second-team NJCAA Preseason All-American, led Jones with 21 points and added six rebounds.

Meridian, 5-14, received 24 points from Ma’Quirus Burton and 20 from Deionte Dean.

– Jamie Wachter