Photo: DeSoto Central’s Freddy Ards (10) drives on Hernando defender Cole Callan as Derrell Tate looks on during action at the Shan Whiteside Classic, held at DeSoto Central on Thursday night. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
The fourth annual Shan Whiteside Sideline Cancer Classic basketball event opened a three-day run at DeSoto Central with four games Thursday. The event is named for and honors Shan Whiteside, the former DeSoto Central basketball coach who died from cancer in 2006. The gymnasium at DeSoto Central is named in his memory.
Here’s a recap of the four games that were played on Thursday. Games are scheduled Friday at both DeSoto Central High School and at the Middle School.
LEWISBURG GIRLS 72, WYNNE, ARK. 40: The Lady Patriots ran off to their eighth straight victory in the classic opener over the challengers from Arkansas. After a 16-9 lead after one quarter, Lewisburg scored 22 points in the second quarter for a 38-19 lead at halftime. The Lady Patriots led 53-30 after three quarters. Lewisburg was deadly from long range, hitting 10 three-pointers in the victory. Player of the Game Allie Carroll led the Lady Patriots with 20 points, while teammate Allison Irby added 19 more.
LEWISBURG BOYS 61, NORTH PANOLA 55: The Patriots had to rally in the fourth quarter to take victory away from the Cougars. Lewisburg trailed 20-13 after one quarter and North Panola took a 10-point lead into the locker room at halftime, 33-23. However, the Patriots began the rally in the third quarter, out scoring the Cougars 17-8 to get within 41-40 at quarter’s end, and would have led at the quarter break were it not for a last-second three-pointer that went in for North Panola. The offense kicked into high gear in the final eight minutes, as Lewisburg outscored the Cougars 21-14. Ty’Bious Ware led the Patriots with 15 points, one of three players in double figures. Josiah Nelson hit for 12 and Player of the Game Amarion Davis added 10 more. North Panola was paced in scoring by Tevin Robinson, who led all scorers with 22 points.
Amarion Davis – LewisburgAllie Carroll – Lewisburg
HERNANDO GIRLS 42, DESOTO CENTRAL 39: Once Hernando took the lead in the game, it was tough for DeSoto Central to completely catch up in the three-point win. The Lady Tigers had an 11-9 lead after one quarter and out scored the Lady Jags 14-7 in the second quarters for a 25-16 advantage. DeSoto Central did rally in the third quarter, putting up 12 points in the quarter to Hernando’s seven, but the Lady Tigers had a 32-28 lead after three. Player of the Game Fran Kelly led all scorers with 23 points, 15 in the first half. Londen Armstrong and Jamaiya Hasley were a one-two punch for the Lady Jags, as Armstrong scored 16 points and Hasley added 15. The game held some extra importance, as the match up was also a Region 1-7A contest that counts in the region standings.
DESOTO CENTRAL BOYS 62, HERNANDO 50: DeSoto Central was able to fend off each attempt at a comeback against a Hernando Tigers team in the nightcap of the classic’s first day of play. The Jaguars took an 18-10 lead after one quarter, but Hernando rallied and got within two at 27-25 at halftime. The Jaguars put 20 on the board in the third for a 47-40 lead going into the final period and went on for the 12-point victory. Player of the Game KJ Patrick led the Jaguars in scoring with 18 points, but Hernando’s Derrell Tate matched that with 18 points as well. This game, pitting two Region 1-7A rivals, was also considered a region game in the standings.
