Fourth-quarter collapse costs Missy Gators
Published 12:00 am Friday, February 2, 2001
[01/31/01] In Mike Coleman’s coaching career, he has never been witness to a fourth quarter like the one he saw Tuesday night.
And he never wants to be a part of one again.
Coleman’s Vicksburg team trailed just 35-34 at the end of the third quarter, then were outscored 28-2 in the final eight minutes as Callaway (20-5) pulled away from the Missy Gators, 63-36.
Crystal Robinson, considered on of the best post players in the state, scored 22 of her game-high 29 points in the fourth quarter. The Missy Gators (11-15) played a defense designed to stop the inside game for three quarters, but after the Lady Chargers took the lead, they moved to a spread offense which opened the post for Robinson.
“She’s a legitimate Dandy Dozen player,” Coleman said. “I knew that last year. She’s awesome.”
Vicksburg’s Shalonda Williams netted a team-high 20 points and Katina Cooper scored seven in the loss. Coleman said the Lady Chargers switched to a triangle-and-2 both defenders on Williams in the second half.
“I thought when they put two players on Shalonda, it would make it easier for everyone else,” Coleman said. “I have no offense against that. I guess that’s the ultimate compliment, putting both players against her.”
Vicksburg will host Yazoo City on Friday night.
(G) C. Springs 59, WC 52
Wanda Calvin scored a game-high 19 and JaQuita Benard netted 13, but the Lady Vikes (21-6) couldn’t hold on to a slim first-half lead.
Ebony Jenkins led three Crystal Springs players in double figures with 19 as the Lady Bearcats (19-9) outscored WC 38-28 in the second half.
“This game was closer than the score indicates,” Warren Central coach Donny Fuller said. “We were down two with less than a minute to play, but had to foul and they hit their free throws.”
Shawanda Coleman and Stacey Lee scored 15 and 10, respectively, for Crystal Springs.
WC will host archrival Vicksburg Saturday at noon.
(B) VHS 52, Callaway 51
Demetrick Allen scored a game-high 19 points, including a pair of free throws with 20 seconds left, to lift Vicksburg (19-9) in a non-division matchup.
After Allen gave the Gators the lead, Willie Powers stopped a game-winning shot attempt as time expired.
Chris Hume scored eight points off the bench as the Chargers (8-17) couldn’t hold on to a 7-point lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Gators will play a key division game against Warren Central on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
(B) C. Springs 59, WC 58
Edward Frazier hit Crystal Springs’ only 3-pointer as the final horn sounded to lift the host Bearcats (12-13) to a non-division win.
Justin Green, who had 12 points, hit a pair of free throws with eight seconds left to put WC up 58-56, but Crystal Springs drove the length of the floor and Frazier buried a 20-footer from the corner setting off a wild celebration.
“I’m disappointed we lost, but hopefully we can learn from this and grow and become a better basketball team,” WC coach John Duett said.
Michael Castellane scored a season-high 18 points and Kevin Coker added 14 in the loss.
WC will host archrival Vicksburg Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
(G) PCA 75, River Oaks 65
Senior E.J. Willis scored a game-high 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Lady Eagles (21-8, 9-0) won a key conference game to stay undefeated in the league.
Jessica Lord added 12 points and seven rebounds. The Lady Eagles will play Tensas Thursday.