Girls roundups: Franklin Co. tops WCHS

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, January 25, 2012

WOODVILLE — The Franklin County Lady Bulldogs put some distance between themselves and the rest of MHSAA Region 7-3A with a 58-36 win over the Wilkinson County Lady Wildcats Tuesday night.

Wilkinson County was looking to not only avenge an earlier loss at Franklin County, but to also gain a share of first place in Region 7-3A with a win on its home court. Instead, the Lady Wildcats found themselves trailing the Lady Bulldogs 27-19 at halftime.

And even though the Lady Wildcats outscored the Lady Bulldogs 17-14 in the third quarter to cut the lead to five points, they would get no closer — literally. Franklin County scored 17 points in the fourth quarter while Wilkinson County did not score a single point.

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Kierra Collins led the Lady Bulldogs with 12 points while Briana Grayson and Sabrina Brown had 11 points each. The Lady Wildcats were led by Lanesia Palmer with 10 points and Ambernekia Palmer with nine points. Franklin County (17-4, 7-0) hosts Prentiss Friday night while Wilkinson County hits the road to face Crystal Springs Friday night.

Vicksburg 62, Natchez High 57

NATCHEZ — Natchez High had three players score in double figures, but a bad second quarter on the offensive end and some defensive lapses in the fourth quarter were the difference in Vicksburg’s comeback win over the Lady Bulldogs Tuesday night.

Natchez High scored just four points in the second period and trailed Vicksburg 24-19 at halftime. The Lady Bulldogs regained their momentum they had in the first quarter and outscored the Missy Gators 24-15 in the third quarter for a 43-39 lead. However, the Missy Gators rallied to win the game with a 23-14 advantage in the fourth quarter.

Ama Arkoful led Vicksburg with a game-high 24 points and Aleeshah Smith had 11 points. Natchez High (17-7) was led by Kiara Johnson with 19 points, Keyana Miller with 13 points and Kiana Jones with 11 points. The Lady Bulldogs host Class 6A No. 3 Forest Hill Friday night.

Jefferson County 61, Crystal Springs 42

FAYETTE — Haley Turner led Jefferson County with a game-high 22 points as the host Lady Tigers rolled past the visiting Crystal Springs Lady Tigers in MHSAA Region 7-3A action Tuesday night.

Jefferson County took a 31-17 lead over Crystal Springs into halftime. And despite Crystal Springs’ best effort to get back in the game in the third quarter, Jefferson County put the game away by outscoring Crystal Springs 16-8 in the fourth quarter.

Brandy Buck added 16 points and Keionne January chipped in with 10 points for Jefferson County (10-10, 5-2), which next plays at Hazlehurst Friday night.

Jonesboro-Hodge 59, Ferriday 47

FERRIDAY — Ferriday had no answer for Jonesboro-Hodge’s April Leonard, who led all scorers with 30 points in the Lady Tigers’ win over the Lady Trojans Tuesday night in an LHSAA District 2-2A game.

Jonesboro-Hodge (20-4, 3-1) had its way with Ferriday in the first half en route to a 38-15 halftime lead. Even though the Lady Trojans played much better in the second half, the 23-point deficit was too big to overcome.

TreNia Melancon led Ferriday (4-13, 1-4) with 15 points and Sha’Keria Kelly had 14 points. The Lady Trojans host Sterlington Friday night.

Monterey 67, Evans 30

MONTEREY — Led by Kaley Baker and Ellen Bairnsfather, the Monterey Lady Wolves steamrolled past the Evans Lady Eagles Tuesday night in non-district play.

Baker finished with a game-high 20 points and Bairnsfather was right behind her with 18 points for Monterey, which jumped out to a commanding 40-9 lead at the half and never looked back.

Kimberly Harvey was the lone bright spot for Evans as she scored 18 points. Monterey improved to 17-6 overall and will return to District 4-B action Friday night at Grace Christian.

Marksville 77, Vidalia 27

MARKSVILLE, La. — Constance Johnson ended up with 24 points and Rajanae Patterson added 18 points as the Marksville Lady Tigers defeated the Vidalia Lady Vikings in an LHSAA District 3-3A game Tuesday night.

Marksville was in control of this game from the start and never let up. The Lady Tigers jumped out to a 24-10 lead at the end of the first quarter and by halftime they were ahead 39-13. And the third quarter wasn’t any better as Marksville put up 25 points while Vidalia managed just two points.

Fran Duson led Vidalia (0-5 in District 3-3A) with seven points and Shermel Bell had six points. The Lady Vikings host Caldwell Parish Friday night.

Block 59, Northwood-Lena 28

JONESVILLE — Ta-Chundra Johnson led Block with a game-high 20 points as the Lady Bears rolled to a 31-point win over the Northwood-Lena Lady Gators in LHSAA District 4-1A action Tuesday night.

Block dominated Northwood-Lena in the first quarter on its way to a 21-4 lead at the end of the quarter. By the time halftime arrived, the Lady Bears were out in front 29-13.

Quinn Branch and Dee Harbor scored 10 points each for Block (6-12, 3-1), which next plays on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at home against LaSalle.