Lamar's Ambreah Waters fights through Central Hinds Academy defenders to get inside the lane Saturday during the championship game of the Lamar Christmas Bash.

Just about everyone in the gym heard him. 

“You have got to make something, Katie,” Lamar coach Josh Sherer yelled.  

The response from Junior Katie Shaffer included hitting her next seven from behind the arc. She finished the evening with 21 points, hitting seven out of nine attempts while leading the Lady Raiders to a Lamar Christmas Bash championship in the 51-20 victory over Central Hinds. 

With the win, Lamar remained undefeated on the season with a record of 16-0. 

Lamar jumped out to 12-2 lead in the first quarter before Shaffer did most of her damage in the second. She hit four 3 pointers in span of just over three minutes. The outside shooting paved the way for some big post and paint points by junior Ambreah Waters, who contributed 16 points. Waters was named the girls’ MVP of the tournament. 

“Both Katie and Ambreah had big games for us tonight,” Sherer said. “The team played with a little extra intensity since we were facing my former team. I was proud of the way they came together.”

Lamar held a 34-10 advantage at halftime and opened up the third quarter with a 10-2 run to put the game far out of reach. 

They will return to action on January 4th at Clarkdale. 

LAMAR BOYS 41, NEWTON COUNTY ACADEMY 22

Two. 

That was the number that stuck out after the Raiders defeated Newton County Academy for the boys’ championship at home on Saturday. 

“We have only had two games with all 12 of our players this season and just one practice,” Sherer said. “Most of our players are on the football team, and schedule conflicts have not allowed us to come together as a unit just yet.”

Despite what Sherer called a lack of intensity, Lamar managed to put together a late third quarter run to secure the victory over Newton County Academy. A fast break resulted in an uncontested lay-up by tournament MVP Joseph Hutchinson, and ended an eight-minute field goal drought. Hutchison finished with 12 points. 

Newton County Academy was able to clip the lead to four at one point in the second half, thanks to inside play by Ethan McDill and a 3-point shot by Austin Upton. McDill led the way for Newton County Academy with nine points. 

“This team has the ability to win some games down the stretch,” Sherer said. “We have the talent. We just need to make up for lost time and get game ready. We are not there yet.”

Lamar improved to 10-3 on the season. Before entering district play, Lamar will face Clarkdale on the road January 4th. 

Consolation Games

VICTORY CHRISTIAN BOYS 83, CLARKDALE 49: Cade Campbell and Carson Jones led the way for Clarkdale in the early game of the Christmas Bash. Campbell produced 18 points, while Jones added 16 of his own. 

CLARKDALE GIRLS 59, PATRICIAN ACADEMY 46: The Lady Bulldogs were able to finish the tournament with a win with a double-digit combo from Tanasia Stennis and Kendra Cross. They contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively. 

PATRICIAN ACADEMY  BOYS 52, RUSSELL CHRISTIAN 48: Patrician Academy held off a late charge by Russell in its 52-48 win. Russell Christian’s leading scorers included James Swindell with 12 points, and Taylor Wood with 10. Patrician Academy scoring leader Lee McBride dropped 19 points, while Blake Reid added 12 in the contest.