The Ethel boys’ and girls’ basketball teams returned from the Thanksgiving break with victories over Choctaw County. The Tigers won 55-52 and the Lady Tigers came out on top of a 43-24 score.
Coach Corey Parish gave credit to the defensive effort of both teams.
“The guys did an awesome job,” he said. “We managed to slow them down and get them out of their offensive flow with our defensive pressure. Offensively, we shared the ball well with all nine players who got playing time getting on the scoreboard.”
Anton Clark led balanced Ethel scoring with 12 points. Kentrell Dotson and Jaylen Estes had nine points each, Cade Nabors and Davion Hunt seven each.
“We had an awesome week of practice with the guys buying into our game plan and what we want to accomplish on both the offensive and defensive end,” Parish said. But he added “We have a long way to go and a lot to clean up before we get to where we want to be. However, I truly believe this young group is going to surprise a lot of people as the season progresses.”
Girls
Abbie Ellington and Zantaria Clark led the Lady Tigers, Ellington with 13 points, six rebounds, five steals and four assists and Clark with 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jasmine Johnson had seven points, six rebounds and three steals and Jaterika Merritt seven points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals.
“We did a much better job defensively this time against Choctaw County,” Parish said. The Lady Tigers held the Lady Chargers scoreless the first 13 minutes of the second half.
Ethel had 20 steals and 13 assists and was able to force Choctaw County into weak areas while keeping the ball out of the hands of 5-11 center Muleyah Yeates, Parish said.
“I am extremely pound of the entire team's effort and preparation during practice last week. They did a great job job working on correcting our mistakes and capitalizing on CCHS's weaknesses.”
The Tigers and Lady Tigers have home games with J.Z.George Friday and will be at Winona Monday.
