It’s do-or-die this afternoon for both the Grenada High School Chargers and Lady Chargers as both teams face Oxford in the consolation round of the Class 6A, Region 1 Tournament hosted by Tupelo High School. The winners move on to the opening round of the state tournament Monday for the girls and Tuesday for the boys.
Oxford and Grenada met twice during the regular season. Grenada swept the girls games by scores of 35-17 and 38-29. On the boys side of the ledger, Grenada had a pair of fourth period leads only to lose both by scores of 65-64 and 71-61. The girls game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. for tip followed by the boys at 5:50 p.m.
“We have to finish those games,” coach Joey Cooley said. “I thought we didn’t do a good job of taking care of the basketball and finding their best shooters on the floor. If we do that and take good shots, I feel good about our chances in the game.”
Senior guard Antonio Blackmon leads Grenada with a 17.2 per game followed classmate Dontralus Yates at 11.2 points per game. A third senior, Jadarius Townes, paces the Chargers in rebounds at 5.6 per contest.
Girls
Kendrick Conley’s Lady Chargers stand at 16-8 on the season following Tuesday’s 47-40 loss to Starkville. The Grenada girls won games with Oxford in the regular season by scores of 35-17 and 38-29. Those scores mean nothing this time around, according to Conley.
“We can’t go into the game complacent just because we have beaten them both times this season,” Conley said. “I think that it is important to get off to a good start against them.”
Rebounding and turnovers are two areas of concern heading into today’s tussle.
“There have been times we have struggled to rebound the basketball,” Conley said. “We have to continue to improve our ability to take care of the basketball.”
Lauren Harges is second on the team with a mark of 11.8 points a contest.
Consolation winners move to the opening round of the State Class 6A Tournament. They will face the loser of the Olive Branch-DeSoto Central contest.
