The McAdams girls basketball team won twice in Region 5-1A games last week, defeating Nanih Waiya 61-38 and French Camp 68-48. The victories left the Lady Bulldogs at 3-1 in region play, tied with Ethel for second. West Lowndes is 4-0, French Camp and Nanih Waiya 1-3 and Noxapater 0-4.
McAdams started slowly against Nanih Waiya, falling behind 14-5 after one quarter.”Once we realized how they were attacking us, we made adjustments,” said coach Michael Huffman. “We started making shots and started working on the defensive end.”
McAdams outscored Nanih Waiya 16-3 in the second period for a 21-17 halftime lead, then broke the game open with a 30-10 edge in the third quarter.
Kiara Brown and Iyania Malone each had 16 points for McAdams and Shatikka Greer added 10. Malone and Moleyia Harmon had nine rebound each and Makeria Griffin contributed seven rebounds, five assists and five steals. Ambria Tubby and I'onnya Coleman scored nine points each for Nanih Waiya.
McAdams trailed French Camp 24-23 at the half, but took command by outscoring the Lady Panthers 20-5 in the third quarter.
Huffman attributed the turnaround to defense. “I told my kids great defense leads to great offense. When we commit to working hard on the defensive end, the offense will come.”
Brown scored 26 points, Haley Perteet 14 and Harmon 11. Harmon also had 16 rebounds.
The Lady Bulldogs participated in the Mid Mississippi Challenge at Choctaw County, losing to East Webster 59-44. It was a 9:30 a.m. tipoff after McAdams played French Camp the previous night.
“We weren't as focused and alert as we needed to be,” Huffman said.
Griffin scored 17 points. Shanayshia Culpepper had a game high 19 points for East Webster.
McAdams was a late fill in at the tournament when Holmes County Central withdrew.
BOYS
The Bulldogs are also 2-2 in region following a 65-62 win over Nanih Waiya and a 49-38 loss to French Camp.
Prior to Tuesday’s games, McAdams was tied with French Camp for third in the region at 2-2. West Lowndes 4-0,Ethel 3-1, Nanih Waiya 1-3 and Noxapater 0-4.
The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs played West Lowndes Tuesday and will be at Noxapater Friday. McAdams will host the region tournamnet beginning February 11. The top four teams from the tournament advance to the 1A playoffs beginning February 17 for girls and February 18 for boys. The top two will host opening round games.
