Lady Rockets claim signature victory
The Neshoba Central Lady Rockets picked a big win Saturday as they dominated defending Class 6a state champion Olive Branch 83-66 in the Choctaw County Classic.
The Lady Rockets are ranked No. 1 in the overall state poll over girls basketball/ They are also ranked No. 1 in the Class 5A girls poll.
“I am fully convinced of what our capabilities are after that one,” Coach Jason Broom said. “Now it is a matter of staying focused and staying well.”
The Lady Rockets jumped out to a 23-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Olive Branch outscored Neshoba Central 22-20 in the second quarter but the Lady Rockets led 43-33 at the half.
Neshoba Central outscored Olive Branch 24-16 in the third quarter and carried a 67-49 lead into the final quarter. Olive Branch played closer in the fourth quarter as the Lady Rockets had a 19-17 scoring edge. But time ran out and the Lady Warriors had the victory.
Hama’ya Fielder and Veronica Williams both scored 19 to lead Neshoba Central. Shaylynn Hunter scored 12. Carly Keats scored 11 while Zharia LeFlore and Kaylin Willis both put in 10.
The Lady Rockets also picked up wins over Canton 92-35 and Ridgeland 63-36.
Against Canton Fielder and Williams both scored 15 points. Keats scored 12 while Willis and LeFlore both scored 10.
Williams was the leading scorer against Ridgeland as she put in 13 points.
Neshoba Central boys
The Neshoba Central boys went 1-2 last week. The Rockets dropped two close district games, falling 50-45 to Canton and 57-53 to Ridgeland. The Rockets bounced back to defeated Aberdeen 67-32.
William Dreifuss was the leading scorer in the Rockets loss to Canton. Elijah Ruffin scored 12 points to lead the Rockets in the Ridgeland game while Zae Goodin and Bryceton Spencer both scored 11 points.
The Rockets cranked up after the first quarter against Aberdeen and scored 33 points in the final quarter. Spencer led with 16 while Ruffin added 14.
Neshoba Central will be on the road this week as they visit Holmes County on Tuesday and Bay Springs on Thursday.