Lady Warriors 5 wins away from goal
The Choctaw Central Lady Warriors rolled through the Region 4-4A tournament last week and are looking forward to their Class 4-4A state opener Thursday night against Ripley.
The Lady Warriors enter the playoffs with a 21-3 record. Ripley comes in at 12-9.
“Our goal is the same as it is every year,” Coach Bill Smith said. “We want to win the state championship. Right now, we are five games away from that.”
The state tournament was to have started Monday. With a winter storm moving across Mississippi that brought snow, ice and temperatures in the teens and lower, the Mississippi High School Activities Association has moved the first round to Thursday (girls) and Friday (boys). Choctaw Central will be home again on Monday with a win over Ripley. They would host the winner between Clarkdale and South Pontotoc.
The Lady Warriors opened the tournament last Thursday with a 69-28 win over Leake Central. Choctaw Central went up 56-20 at the half. Carly Keats led with 21 points and Meloney Thames scored 20.
Choctaw Central came back to beat Louisville 56-37 in the tournament championship game.
Choctaw Central led 15-7 after the first quarter. The Lady Warriors outpointed the Lady Wildcats 11-10 in the second quarter and led 26-17 at the half. Choctaw Central outscored Louisville 19-12 in the third quarter and carried a 45-29 lead into the final quarter. Choctaw Central held on for the victory. Shantashia John led with 19 points while Thames and Lyleonia Johnson both scored 10 points.
Thames was named the tournament MVP while Kylie Williamson, Keats, John and Johnson were named to the all-district team.