Byers back in the Big House • Lady Lions dominate in semi-finals


Thursday, March 7, 2013
Community \| Obits \| Editorial & Columnists \| Society \| Sports \| Education \| Classified Ads \| Calendar of Events \| Features \| Newsbriefs \| Legals \| Archives \| Subscriptions \| New Photo Gallery

Click Here for the E-Edition of
The South Reporter

Click Here For Full Version

Photo by Barry Burleson

ShaDai Nolen (22), applying full-court pressure, tries to save the ball from going out of bounds.

Byers back in the Big House
• Lady Lions dominate in semi-finals

By CLAUDE VINSON
Sports Editor

This version of the H.W. Byers Lady Lions had their first exam at the Big House Friday.

Coach Jason Thompson’s squad passed the test with flying colors, winning by 37.

The Lady Lions met the Bogue Chitto Lady Bobcats, who like Byers had thrown up some impressive scores along the road.

Bogue Chitto entered with an overall record of 27-7. The two-time defending state champs they were about to face, the Lady Lions, stood 26-5, and their regular season schedule was a rigorous one.

The Lady Lions started off with a 2-0 deficit which developed into a 6-2 hole with just under three minutes evaporating from the first quarter. Byers quickly turned it around at 4:27 and had the upper hand, compliments of an old-fashioned three by Precious Rogers. Abria Gulledge, performing in her first game in four months after recovering from an injury, sank a three to put Byers up 21-10. The Lady Lions would add four more before the quarter ended to make it 25-11.

The second frame saw the Lady Lions turn up the thermostat. They held the Lady Bobcats to five points while adding 20. ShaDai Nolen was leading the charge again, both in scoring and grabbing rebounds. She was joined in hustle by Richenda Crutcher, who was also using her speed to help dismantle the Lady Bobcats’ offense. The score was 45-16 at halftime.

Photos by Barry Burleson

Triple-teaming a Lady Bobcat Friday morning in Jackson are Lady Lions (from left) Kadejar Moore, Precious Rogers and Justice Martin.

Coach Thompson, still going without his leading scorer, an injured Madison McCreless, was subbing at will. All of the reserves who saw action were contributing to the pace which had been set. The Lady Bobcats were not able to do anything on the boards for scoring or rebounds. They hit six points in the third against another 20 for Byers. The score was 65-22.

Jequira Thompson (1) eyes the goal as she gets past a Bogue Chitto player in the Big House.

The fourth was the Lady Bobcats’ best quarter wherein they out-pointed Byers 13-7. Of course, for a team which had committed 38 turnovers and scored 35 points, the outcome was all too obvious. The final score was 72-35.

olen led the charging Lady Lions with 12 points, followed by Crutcher with 11, Justice Martin and Kadejar Moore with nine each and Precious Rogers with eight.

Rheagan Welch was the hot shot for Bogue Chitto with 11. Zariah Matthews was next with nine.

North Half champion H.W. Byers (27-5) has a finals date with South Half champion Hinds AHS (28-6) on Thursday, March 7, at 1 p.m.

Coach Thompson gives instructions to Alayna McClure.

Report News: (662) 252-4261 or southreporter@dixie-net.com
Fax: (662) 252-3388
Questions, comments, corrections: southreporter@dixie-net.com
The South Reporter
P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
©2004, The South Reporter, All Rights Reserved.
No part of this site may be reproduced in any way without permission.
The South Reporter is a member of the Mississippi Press Association.

Web Site managed and maintained by
South Reporter webmasters Linda Jones, Kristian Jones
Web Site Design - The South Reporter

Back | Top of Page