BROOKHAVEN — If there were consolation prizes in the 1A South State tournament, Dexter would take the cake.
The Bulldogs looked to become the first team in two years to beat Durant in 1A when they held a one-point lead in the fourth quarter of Friday night’s 1A South State semifinals.
“Not many teams can say they had a lead on Durant, especially in the 1A classification,” Dexter coach Steven Fortenberry said. “But we aren’t playing horseshoes, so close doesn’t count.”
Fortenberry was spot on. Dexter saw that lead disappear in seconds and failed to capitalize on several key plays down the stretch as it dropped a 56-52 decision to Durant.
The win gave Durant (24-5) a spot in next week’s 1A final four in Jackson, along with West Lincoln, Biggersville and Coldwater. West Lincoln beat Durant on Saturday to win the South State title.
After losing the lead, Dexter (22-7) found itself down five with 3:16 left, but a mini 5-1 run cut it to 47-46 with 1:20 left. Durant’s Gamarcus Thomas drilled a 3-pointer from the corner with 1:11 to make it 50-46. Then everything unraveled for Dexter.
During the next four possessions, Dexter missed two shots and committed two costly turnovers and Durant made its free throws down the stretch to guarantee the win.
The Tigers nearly gave away the win by shooting an awful 23 percent (15 of 64) from the field. They made just four field field goals in the second half but were 16 of 22 from the charity stripe.
Dexter was equally ineffective, shooting 33 percent (16 of 48).
“Our inside wasn’t that much of a factor,” Fortenberry said. “I don’t know if it was us or Durant’s athleticism. They are more than a handful to say the least.”
Clifford Fernandez led Dexter with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Dante Butler and Devonte Alford had 11 points each.
Theodore Haynes led Durant with 14 points and david Hogsett and Thomas both had 13.
Durant got most of its 56 points off offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities. The Tigers had nearly as many offensive rebounds (26) as Dexter did total rebounds (30). Durant finished with 51 rebounds.
Most of the offensive rebounds came on 3-point attempts. The Tigers were 8 of 33 from beyond the arc (24 percent).
“I think that was a big part why (Durant coach Kenyon) Ross still let them shoot the 3’s because they were getting so many second-chance point opportunities out of that,” Fortenberry said.
Franklin County loses
in semifinals
The Choctaw Central Lady Warriors extended their 21-game win streak Friday night and eliminated the Franklin County Lady Bulldogs 65-52 in the 3A South State tournament semifinals.
Choctaw Central (32-2) ended up winning the South State championship over Southeast Lauderdale, 59-56, on Saturday and will also play in the 3A State Tournament later this week in Jackson
For the Lady Bulldogs (24-5), the contest started out on a rough note. Choctaw Central collected a 15-11 first quarter lead and never looked back.
Franklin County tried to get within striking distance in the third quarter, but Choctaw Central outscored the Lady Bulldogs 22-16 in the frame to take a 56-37 lead.
In the final frame, the Lady Bulldogs cut the deficit to a more respectable score off steals and baskets from seniors KeKe Collins, Kiarra Sykes and Toni Robinson.
Both Collins and Sykes led the Franklin County attack with 15 points each.
bogue chitto advances
to jackson
The Bogue Chitto girls advanced to the final four of the 1A state championship after defeating Stringer 58-49 in the South State semifinal round Friday night.
The Lady Bobcats lost 62-33 to Hinds AHS on Saturday in the finals.
Bogue Chitto takes on Byers next Saturday in Jackson at 1 p.m.
“For us to have such a young team we play so well together,” Bogue Chitto coach Christi Terrell said. “The girls never gave up. We slowed the ball down some and got out of our rhythm. We have accomplished so much this year. I have kids that have stepped up and played the way Lady Cats play.”
The leading scorers for the Lady Bobcats were Zariah Matthews with 17 points and Rhagen Welch with 11 points.
