For the first time since 2003, the Meridian High girls soccer team is headed to the postseason.

    Behind a shutout from keeper Alyssa Goodman, the Wildcats blanked Petal 3-0 on Friday to earn the second seed in the division and a trip to Ocean Springs in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs Tuesday.

    While Goodman was keeping the Panthers at bay, Kaylee Zettler netted a goal and two assists to lead MHS (10-10-1). Taking a Kelly Offenberger pass, Zettler put the Wildcats up 1-0 just 11 minutes in. Fifteen minutes later, Offenberger scored off a Zettler pass to give MHS a 2-0 halftime lead.

    Meme Huff tacked on the final goal, again off a Zettler pass, in the 60th minute.

— Jamie Wachter

Meridian    4

Petal boys    1

    The Wildcats also downed host Petal by three goals to clinch a playoff berth Friday.

    Meridian, the No. 2 seed, will travel to No. 1 Ocean Springs on Tuesday.

    No other details were reported.

— Jamie Wachter

PREP BASKETBALL

SE Lauderdale    48

Newton girls    39

    The Tigers bounced back from a blowout loss at Choctaw Central on Tuesday, pulling away from host Newton in the second half Friday.

    Southeast led just 17-15 at halftime before pushing the lead to 32-29 entering the fourth. Anna Beth Caves led SEL, which improved to 16-6 and 5-1 in Division 5-3A, with 14 points. Jasmine Bush added 10 points and 13 rebounds for the visiting Tigers.

    Newton, which dropped to 9-9 and 4-2 in the division, received 14 points from Tanganekia Lloyd, and 11 points each from Tynika Bender and Shafony Blalock.

    Southeast visits Clarkdale today.

— Jamie Wachter

Newton boys    71

SE Lauderdale    69

    The host Tigers held off a fierce Southeast rally on Friday to up their record to 5-8 and 2-4 in Division 5-3A.

    Chris Turner led Newton with 22 points, while Jedarius Irby added 18 and Dillon Hawkins finished with 14. Newton led 40-28 at the half and held that advantage at 52-40 heading into the fourth.

    Southeast, which fell to 11-9 and 3-3 in the division, was led by Desmond Griggs’ 21 points. The Tigers head to Clarkdale today.

— Jamie Wachter

Kemper County boys    77

Choctaw Central    58

    The Wildcats jumped on the visiting Warriors early, racing to a 23-10 lead after the first quarter and cruised from there Friday night in Division 5-3A play.

    No other details were reported.

    Kemper improved to 15-8 and 5-1 in the division. The Wildcats host Southeast Lauderdale on Tuesday, while Choctaw Central visits Philadelphia.

— Jamie Wachter

Choctaw Central    77

Kemper County girls    19

    The Warriors cruised past the host Wildcats in Division 5-3A play Friday night, holding KC to no more than eight points in any quarter.

    Choctaw, which moved to 19-2 and 5-1 in the division, led 37-13 at halftime. Malaney Nickey led 13 Warriors in scoring with 14 points, while Mildred Jimmie added 12. Choctaw plays today in the Mid-Mississippi Challenge.

    Ebone Newton scored seven to pace KC, which hosts Southeast Lauderdale on Tuesday.

— Jamie Wachter

LATE PREP SOCCER

Clarkdale girls    2

Choctaw Central    0

    Tension was high Thursday with both teams still in the hunt for the district championship. The game started as both teams anticipated, neither team budging an inch. Clarkdale had several shots on goal throughout the first half but was unable to get one past the Choctaw defense.

    The second half proved to be a little more beneficial for Clarkdale, as with about 24 minutes left in the game junior Kayla Phillips managed to get one by the Warriors’ goalkeeper. Later, senior Raven Stephens sealed the deal with her first goal of the season.

    The Bulldogs finish regular season play 12-1-1 and district play 6-0. They host South Pontotoc on Monday in the first round of the state playoffs at 5:30 p.m.

— submitted reports

LATE JUCO BASKETBALL

East Central women    75

Southwest Mississippi    65

     Sophomore guard Ja’Monica Orton poured in 27 points and led the Warriors to their first victory of the 2011-12, thumping the Bears on Thursday night in Summit.

    With the win, EC’s women improved to 1-11 overall and 1-2 in the MACJC South Division.

    In addition to Orton, other Warrior scorers were Xzandra Dowd with 17 and Kurlysha Bell and Inessa Adams with nine each. Bell led in rebounds with nine followed by Orton and Dowd with seven each.

    Shanekqua Bibbs and Shaniece Sheffield had 19 points each to lead the Bears, who dropped to 3-11.

    EC trailed 30-28 at halftime.

— from school reports

Southwest Mississippi    83

East Central men    64

    The Warriors’ woes continued as they fell to 0-12 and 0-3 in the MACJC South Division.

    Jimmie Broomfield led the Warriors with 20 points. Others in double figures for ECCC were Akeem Toppin with 12 and Newton County’s Hakeem Wesley with 10.

     Mark Bridgewater scored 14 points to lead the Bears, who improved to 7-7. 

    Southwest led 47-30 at the break.

— from school reports