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South Point beats East, takes final playoff spot JAY MILLER, LTN Sports Correspondent Feb. 18, 2002 - DENVER — It was simple. All East Lincoln boys had to do was to beat South Point and for all intents and purposes. The would be in the playoffs. That was easier said than done. South Point exploded in the second half by outscoring the Mustangs 40-14 to win 64-40. The victory gave South Point the fourth and final conference spot in the state playoffs. East could regain this spot if they win the conference tournament which starts Tuesday. East will play South Point at East Gaston. The Mustangs ran out strong, controlled the tempo and played to their strength for most of the first half, leading 15-9 after the first and 26-24 at the half. At that point, East looked as if it was in control of the game and its destiny. However, East could not sustain their game plan as they handed over the game in the second half. East seemingly had the game under control starting into the third as well. Both of South Point’s big men were in foul trouble and South Point was forced into playing no man taller than six feet against East’s major height advantage. But due to several early Mustang turnovers, South Point regained the lead, switched to a zone defense and immediately changed to an up tempo style of play. It was a tempo best suited for the Red Raiders, enabling them to capitalize on their quickness and ball handling ability to slice and dice the Mustangs with ease. Some how East got away from their strength of working the ball inside as they attempted to play the Red Raiders’ run and gun game. East’s three big men produced only two points total in the second half. Blake Ketner, who scored 7 points in the first half, and Tripp Miller each were held to one free throw by the smaller Red Raiders. Jason Burgess didn’t score. East was left wondering how this could happen. This time, give much credit to South’s hustle and scrappy style of play. The Red Raiders came through when they needed to the most. It was senior night at the Corral. Before the game, East recognized their seven seniors and their parents. East’s seniors are Jason Burgess, Blake Ketner, Tripp Miller, Corey Howard, Tripp Webb, Tyrone Rendleman and Jerrel Wingate. In a pre-game talk to players and parents, East coach Neil Hodges said “You have a fine group of young men here, they’ve worked very hard and you should be very proud of them.” South Point’s Alvin Williams led all scorers with 15, with Phillip Stowe chipping in 12. Jerrel Wingate lead the Mustangs with nine, as Corey Howard and Blake Ketner adding eight each. South Point 57, East girls 44 The visiting Red Raiders jumped out to a 30-9 lead at the half and held on down the stretch, defeating the Mustangs, 57-44 in Big South Conference 3A play. The Mustangs pulled together a strong 18-point third quarter and scored the last six points on a trey by Tiffany Finandis, two by Sarah McCall and two free throws by Jennifer Henley to make the score 42-27. East continued to close the gap with baskets by Sabrina Abraham and Finandis, moving within 11 points, 46-35 and 3:31 remaining but South Point took charge from that point, going on a run of their own to put the Mustangs and the game away. The Red Raiders were lead by Whitney Robinson’s game high 24 points. Finandis led East with 12 while Sara Fleming and Shanna Rendleman both added nine.. East honored their three seniors, Finandis, Rendleman, Abraham and their parents in a post-game ceremony.
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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