KCHS boys, girls set to face Philly Friday

Ben Winston Ty'Kevon Steele (4) dribbles down court in the Wildcats game in the Sam Dale Tournament.

JASON DYEES

Kemper County's Zariyah Moss (2) shoots a layup against Quitman in Sam Dale Tournament action.

JASON DYEES

aylan Clayton (12) dribbles her way to the basket for the Wildcats during Kemper County's loss to Quitman in the Sam Dale Tournament.

JASON DYEES

Posted Sunday, January 30, 2022 6:35 pm

By Cooper Sanders

The Kemper County Lady Wildcats earned a huge win this week over Northeast Lauderdale in the Sam Dale Tournament , winning 63-28. The duo of Neera Bell and Rodezah Smith scored just as many points as Northeast Lauderdale, as Bell scored 16 and Smith scored 12. Tyasiah Bohannon and Kaylan Clayton each scored nine. In the championship game the Lady Wildcats struggled, losing to a powerful Quitman team by a score of 55-13.

Coach Ronnie Slaughter likes the way things looked before the Christmas break and has high hopes for the last part of the season, now that the Lady Wildcats are in district play. Slaughter says he wants to continue the same success they’ve had, by working on the same things they have been working on.

The Lady Wildcats have lost a few games, but to teams who are a lot more experienced. “We played above ourselves,” said Slaughter. “I think playing better competition helped us as far as district play.”

The Lady Wildcats opened district play with a 47-45 win over Lake. The Wildcats are set for two district games next week against Philadelphia Friday, and Nanih Waiya Tuesday. Slaughter is trying to push playoff home court advantage to his players, which would take finishing in the top two for the district. Slaughter says that his team is already strong on the road and that playing at home is even better for the Lady Wildcats. Coach Michael Stringer and the Wildcats lost in the first round of the tournament to Northeast Lauderdale 63-47, however no stats were reported for the game. The Wildcats are also 1-0 in district play in what is one of the toughest districts in 2A basketball.

They will face a strong Philadelphia team Friday and will play a non district game against Noxubee on Saturday, and will play another district game against Nanih Waiya Tuesday.