Starkville Daily News

Chargers put up points in defeating Wolverines

By DANNY P. SMITH

MABEN – There are several Choctaw County boys basketball players that have the potential to put a charge into the offensive attack.

On Thursday night at East Webster, that was on full display.

The Chargers had four players score in double figures with two of them reaching the 20-point mark as they defeated the Wolverines 76-62 in Class 2A, Region 2 action.

When East Webster keyed on stopping Choctaw County’s

Caleb Cunningham, Calvin Roberts and Jayy Cole early in the game, that opened up an opportunity for eighth grader K.J. Cork.

Choctaw County coach Chris Pettit liked the balance from his team.

“We had some guys step up,” Pettit said. “(Cork) is an eighth grader and he comes out here scalding hot. He was feeling it and we found him. (Jalon James) comes in and he hits one right off the bat. (Cole Hood) played really good defense for us tonight.

“That’s what I told them at halftime. We’re up where we are without the big three scoring right now. We’re trying to get to where it can be anyone any night and that’s what we want.”

Cole and James hit backto-back 3-point field goals to start the game and helped the Chargers jump out to a 6-0 lead.

Choctaw County gained a 10-point advantage at 19-9 to the end of the first quarter following a basket by Roberts.

Both teams heated up the scoring in the second quarter, but Cork hit a pair of 3-pointers to put the Chargers up 33-17 with 4 minutes remaining in the first half.

A jumper by Cunningham gave Choctaw County a 4225 lead at the half.

The Wolverines were able to get to within 11 points several times in the second half. It was a 66-55 spread in favor of the Chargers with 3:04 remaining in the fourth quarter, but East Webster could not get any closer.

Roberts was the leading scorer for Choctaw County with 23 points, while Cunningham had 20 points, Cork contributed 17 points and Cole added 13 points. The Chargers improved their records to 6-11 overall, but more importantly 3-0 in the division.

Cade Morrow had 20 points for the Wolverines, who fell to 7-12 overall and 2-2 in the division. Zy Ford and Omar O’bryant had 10 points each.

Girls

East Webster 57, Choctaw County 20

The Lady Wolverines used the momentum of a strong first quarter and went on to an easy victory over the Lady Chargers.

Seniors Shan Culpepper and Lauren Graves combined for 28 points.

It was senior night at East Webster and head coach Jon Ginn could see a little extra motivation in the eyes of Culpepper and Graves.

“They came out and played with a purpose,” Ginn said. “They were excited that we were honoring them tonight and I was not disappointed.”

With a strong defense, the Lady Wolverines only allowed one field goal in the first quarter and established a 16-3 lead after the first 8 minutes.

East Webster, which improved its records to 14-6 overall and 3-1 in the division, increased the margin to 36-10 at halftime.

Shan Culpepper and Da’nasia Logan led the Lady Wolverines with 15 points each, while Graves added 13 points.

Jarya Woodard had seven points for Choctaw County, which fell to 4-12 overall and 1-2 in the division. Along with Culpepper and Graves. East Webster honored boys seniors Ford, Chandler Hodges, Blake Slay, Rashawn Hamilton, Kelvin Bingham and Eston Neal.

“It will be sad to see these guys go, but we’ve got a little more time with them and we’re going to try and cherish every moment of it,” Ginn said of the seniors.

The win by the Lady Wolverines was the 500th overall coaching victory in the career of Ginn.

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2022-01-21T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-01-21T08:00:00.0000000Z

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