Lanier rallies to beat Center Hill

article and image from Commercial Appeal

Center Hill junior Marisa Knox works the ball upcourt against Lanier’s Dominique Loggins in the first half on Monday. Lanier earned a 60-51 victory to advance in the MHSAA playoffs.

 
Kierra Jordan’s postgame comments after Lanier (20-6) eliminated Center Hill in the first-round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A girls state basketball playoffs Monday touched briefly on the her team’s bus trip from Jackson.

“It was a long ride,” said the University of Southern Mississippi signee, “but we didn’t ride all the way up here for nothing.”

Behind 30 points from Jordan, including 14 in the fourth period, the Lady Bulldogs rallied from a 32-19 halftime deficit to escape with a 60-51 victory.

Center Hill did not make a field goal in the fourth quarter from the 6:36 mark until 18.4 seconds remained in the game, scoring only on three free throws during the long stretch.

“They did a better job closing the game out,” Center Hill coach Jonathan Moore said. “They earned it — we kind of let it go.”

The Lady Mustangs (24-6) saw their 41-37 advantage at the start of the fourth evaporate on a personal 8-0 run by Jordan.

Center Hill led 18-6 after the first quarter on the strength of eight points from point guard Marisa Knox. Kaelin Kneeland scored eight points in the second period.

In MHSAA Class 6A girls playoffs, Horn Lake defeated Northwest Rankin, 44-41, and will host Friday’s North Half tournament. The Lady Eagles (24-2) face Clinton at 7:30 p.m. Southaven (25-4), which beat Jackson Murrah, 65-38, plays Columbus at 6 p.m.


Munford girls win 13-AAA tournament at home

The Lady Cougars used a 15-6 second quarter to open up a 34-17 halftime advantage and cruised to a 76-52 win in the District 13-AAA tournament championship game at Munford.

Shaliyah Wiggins paced Munford with 17 points. Kierra Richardson (11) and Alex Turner (10) also scored in double figures for the Cougars. Munford improved to 24-5 on the season.