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Sweeping Oxford...
The Grenada High School basketball teams did something that they haven’t done much in sweeping Oxford Tuesday night. Monique Cooley shoots and scores two points. Staff Photo/Chuck Hathcock
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By CHUCK HATHCOCK
Sports Editor
Grenada High School girl’s basketball coach Ken Ross had seen it happen way too times this season.
The Lady Chargers had carried leads either into halftime or the third period. Most of the time, they would see those margins evaporate and lose the game.
That wasn’t the case this time.
Grenada had an 11-point lead Tuesday night against Oxford just over midway through the third period. Oxford used a 17-2 run to lead by six points with just under three minutes.
This time, the Lady Chargers responded with a 16-4 run to close the game winning a 53-47 decision.
In the boy’s game, Grenada won a 70-61 decision.
With the win, Grenada improves to 9-14 on the season.
It was a big win for a team that lost by 21 points to Oxford earlier this season.
“It’s a big win for our girls,” Ross said. “We’ve had chances in games this season and haven’t be able to close the deal. A win like this really helps our confidence heading into the district tournament.”
Ross had seen it too many times this season. He thought it was a case of deja vu’.
“I looked at Coach (David) Montgomery and said, ‘Here we go again,’” Ross said. “I called a time out and told them we had turn the intensity or we were going to get beat.”
Bench play
Ross got solid play from his bench in the contest. He started his seniors on Senior Night. One of those, Monique Cooley, came up big in the contest. She finished with 11 points.
“Monique stepped up and made the most of her chance, Ross said. “I told her at half, that she was making me look bad because she was playing so well. Folks probably said that she should have been playing more.”
Ross was also pleased with Jatavia Horton. The sophomore had two points and several key steals.
“She gives us more n defense with her quickness,” Ross said. “Jatavia had some big steals that helped us.”
Comeback
Skye Archie hit a three-pointer to cut the margin to 43-40 with 2:36 left. After Oxford scored, Marquita Tidwell had a driving lay up to make it 45-42 at the 1:42 mark.
The Lady Chargers got a steal on the next trip down the court. Briana Young was fouled and made a free throw to cut the margin to 45-43 with 1:20 left. Tidwell would tie the game with 1:20 remaining.
Oxford turned the ball over on its next possession. Tidwell scored with 55.3 seconds left to give GHS the lead. Grenada stole the ball on the next possession and Ashley Taylor added a bucket for a four-point lead. Samira Alston and Horton had consecutive buckets to put the game away.
Alston led Grenada with 14 points. Cooley added 11 points. Archie scored nine points and Young finished with seven. Taylor added six points and Tidwell chipped in four.
Boys
The boys contest went back and forth in the opening half. Grenada led by as many as five, but trailed 36-30 at halftime.
Oxford led by as many as eight points in the second half. Grenada got control of the game with a 19-4 run.
Alex Poole paced all scorers with 32 points. Robert Willis added 16 points. Grenada returns to action Friday traveling to Murrah for its final regular season game.
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