Thursday, March 7, 2013

Southaven survives against gritty Harrison Central

 images and article from Commercial Appeal

Southaven junior Olivia Cunningham wears a smile as she is fouled by Harrison Central sophomore Philmecia Drakeford


Southaven girls basketball coach David Baldwin could’ve looked at the stat sheet following Wednesday’s Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A state semifinal game against Harrison Central and been depressed.

After all, his Lady Chargers had just shot 7-of-24 from the free throw line, or 29.2 percent.
Baldwin, however, was more focused on the scoreboard at the Mississippi Coliseum — one that showed Southaven earning its first trip to the state finals after a 53-48 come-from-behind victory over the Red Rebelletes.

“I’m going to be honest,” said Baldwin. “I thought we were dead in the water. But my kids just played hard.”

Southaven senior Aliyah Miller (#22) shoots over Harrison Central defenders senior Courtney White (#15) and sophomore Jazzmun Holmes

In taking on Forest Hill in Saturday’s title game, Southaven (27-5) had better do a better job of coming out of the gates, as another 15-3 first-period deficit could be fatal.

The Lady Chargers played catchup over the next 16 minutes and following a short jumper from A’Queen Hayes at the 4:08 mark of the fourth, Southaven had its first lead of the night, 46-45.
“We started executing a little bit better,” Baldwin said. “Also, they (Harrison Central) missed some shots in the fourth quarter that in the first three quarters, they were nailing.”

The final big shot for the Red Rebelletes came courtesy of Philmecia Drakeford, who knocked down a 3-pointer to tie it at 48; but Southaven would be in control the rest of the way. Providence signee Aliyah Miller scored on a layup and then pulled down a handful of her 11 rebounds that forced Harrison Central to foul down the stretch. Converting from the line were Olivia Cunningham and Buffalo signee Joanna Smith.

Southaven junior A'Queen Hayes (#23) pulls up for a jumper against Harrison Central sophomore Jazzmun Holmes (#13)


“I told the team we weren’t going home tonight,” said UT-Chattanooga signee Jasmine Joyner, who contributed a game-high 14 rebounds.

Hayes led all scorers with 17 points, while Miller finished with 15.

“We went out there and played hard; played with heart,” said Hayes, “because we didn’t want this to be our last game.”

Following a blocked shot by Southaven senior Jasmine Joyner (#34), senior teammate Joanna Smith (#32) runs a fast break


Southaven lost by three to Hattiesburg in last year’s state semis.

The Red Rebelettes (25-7) received 16 points from Jassmun Holmes; Londyn Thomas added 11.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.