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Sports |
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DO OR DIE TIME: Big day for West girls, East boys & wrestlers TERRANCE THOMAS, LTN Sports Writer Feb. 15, 2002 - It’s do or die time for the West Lincoln girls basketball team and the East Lincoln boys. Both teams have games tonight that will decide whether or not they are going to the playoffs. West girls will travel to Shelby for a huge Midwest 2A Conference tilt. The confenrece will send four teams to the state playoffs. Shelby enters the game in fourth place one game ahead of the Lady Rebels. However, West defeated the Lady Lions earlier so a West win will tie Shelby and give West the edge. Lady Rebels coach Allen Hoyle said his team is ready for the game. “The girls really want to make the playoffs,” he said. “We had an up and down season. It would be nice in my first year to lead the team to the playoffs. “It’s going to take a real good team effort,” he added. “We will have to limit turnovers and rebound well. Those are the main keys. They play a good man-to-man defense.” Kisha Morrison and Kaylon Carpenter have been playing well lately, according to Hoyle. He said Morrison has had a strong second half of the season. During that same period Carpenter has been the leading scorer. Hoyle said three of his players are sick. Starter Jackie derr is questionable, Jessica Leatherman is probable and Valerie Fite is doubtful. It’s been two years since the Lady Rebels made it to the playoffs. To make it again, Hoyle said “we need luck and hard play and a lot of support.” The East Lincoln boys are tied with South Point for fourth place in the Big South 3A Conference. The conference only takes four teams. The two teams will hook up tonight at East Lincoln for the right to go. East forward Tyrone Rendleman said defense is the key. “South Point has a lot shooters who cane hit from the perimeter,” he said. “If we don’t put a hand in their faces, They’ll light it up. Our team is fired up. We’ll be ready.” While the Red Raiders could be dangerous from the outside, East needs to hit a few jumpers as well. “On offense we have to make outside shots and penetrate and shoot gaps. East coach Neil Hodges said. “It will be a tough and hard-fought game. South Point will come in ready to roll.” The Mustangs came back from 15 points down to beat the Red Raiders in the first meeting. Getting into the playoffs will be a big achievement for the Mustangs. Before last season, they hadn’t had a winning season in a while. Now at 11-10 they have a chance to finish with a winning season and make the playoffs. There will be an added emotional factor in the game. It’s also senior night at the Corral. As far as the other teams are concerned, only Lincolnton girls have sealed a playoff bid. The Lady Wolves could host a first-round game. As for everyone else, they will need to win next week’s conference tournaments outright. Wrestling Individual Regionals This is also a big weekend for wrestling. It’s the Individual regionals. Each school has at least two representatives. West will send 11 wrestlers, including Cory Norman who needs won win to break the school record, to the 2A Regional at South Davidson. The first round begins tonight at 6 p.m. the quarter-finals start 9 a.m. Saturday with the semi-finals and the championships (at 6 p.m.) to follow. South Davidson is located on Highway 109 southwest of Lexington.
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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