[12/30/02]Warren Central coach Preston Wilson could only watch as a four point half-time deficit was blown open by a 17-1 Provine run midway through the third quarter.

The result was a 66-44 Vikings’ loss that put them out of the Jackson Public Schools Tournament after two games for the second straight year.

“We were flat. We just didn’t seem motivated to play,” Wilson said. “We didn’t have the intensity we normally have… they got a lot of easy baskets and we weren’t able to capitalize on their mistakes.”

Dewayne Washington and Chi Chi Ezekwe combined for 61 percent of the Vikings’ points as Washington scored 14 points with 11 rebounds and Ezekwe scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Neither scored in the third quarter and the Vikings (12-4) could only manage six points.

“No one else stepped up, just me and Chi Chi,” Washington said. “We need more than just us.”

The Rams (10-2) were led by Jeffery Webb Jr.’s 17 points and seven rebounds and Charlie White’s 13 points and nine rebounds.

The quiver of the ensuing Rams’ avalanche was felt midway through the second quarter when Webb caught an alley-oop dunk to close the Vikings’ lead to 16-15, keying a 11-6 run that put Provine on top 26-22 at the half.

“When they threw that alley-oop in, it just brought momentum to them,” Washington said. “They just took it from there and we couldn’t recover.”

The Vikings’ collapse came shortly after Ezekwe turned his ankle following a foul three minutes into the third quarter.

Daryl Harper came off the bench to hit one of two free throws and the Rams rebounded the shot and went on to score 17 straight points for a 43-23 lead.

The run was highlighted by a thunderous dunk that brought the crowd at Forest Hill to their feet. Seconds later, he caught an outlet pass off a WC turnover and increased the Rams’ lead to 43-23.

Ronnie Jones slowed the run with a 3-pointer. He managed only two baskets on the night for five points, but the damage was done as the Vikings missed five free throws and turned the ball over six times, failing to score during a five minutes stretch.

“Everybody knows Ronnie is our best scorer,” Wilson said. “When they took him out of the ballgame everybody just stood around and watched, and it was the turning point of the ballgame.”

(G) Canton 58, WC 40

Talisha Butler scored a team-high nine points and Jessica Lacey had six in the loss, eliminating the Lady Vikes from the Jackson Public Schools Tournament in two games.

Ole Miss signee LaCourtney Ratliff scored 17 points and Erica McElroy netted 17 in the victory.

(G) VHS 78, McLaurin 69

Tiffany Hubbard and Tricia Dart each scored 25 points as the Missy Gators (9-6) blew a 17-point lead before beating McLaurin in overtime at the Northwest Rankin Dr. Pepper Classic.

Vicksburg led 59-42 going into the fourth quarter and the Missy Gators went into a four-corners delay offense. McLaurin took advantage of several missed VHS layups to send the game into overtime.

“We were looking down coming to the huddle,” Vicksburg coach Mike Coleman said of the overtime. “I told the girls that this was a four-minute game and we had to play.”

Vicksburg outscored McLaurin 14-5 in the extra period for the win.

Shalonda Williams added 15 and Arcola Scott scored 10 for VHS, which will play Madison Central today at 1:10 p.m.

(B) SIA 43, Indianola 36

Sharkey-Issaquena (11-4) got off to an early start against Indianola Academy and never looked back.

Led by Jordan Clark’s 12 points and six rebounds, SIA took advantage of 13-4 first-quarter lead to preserve the win. Brett Stevens followed with 11 points.

SIA will play Greenville Christian today at 7:15 p.m.

(G) Manchester 46, SIA 30

Kristen Cox scored 10 points for SIA (10-8) in the loss. Keri Smith and Emily Magee each had nine.

SIA will play Heidelberg today at 3:30 p.m.