Poor free throw shooting at the Premier Medical Group Shootout doomed Kosciusko boys. The Whippets made only 8 of 27 from the line in a 39-30 loss to Philadelphia.
It was the last of nine games involving 10 teams in the tournament Saturday hosted by Kosciusko.
In an earlier game last week, the Whippets were defeated by Neshoba Central 62-44 after leading at the half. “We came out after halftime and missed some shots, some easy shots,” said coach Eleazarus Greenleaf. “We turned the ball over a little more than to my liking. They (Nehoba Central) made some shots. It kind of got out of hand.”
Kameron Vaughn had eight points and four rebounds for the Whippets Jaybre Pierce eight points and two steals and Jeremi Wilkes six points and seven rebounds.
“We don’t have a go-to guy. We have to do everything by committee,” Greenleaf said.
Girls
The Lady Whippets rebounded from a 72-53 loss to Neshoba Central to defeat Grenada 48-36 at the tournament behind 22 points and eight rebounds by D’naylah Williams and 14 points and 10 rebounds from Jamiya Gray. Kosciusko was able to pull away in the fourth quarter.
“We made some key baskets and we made some key free throws down the stretch,” said coach Cory Guyton.
Kosciusko lost to Neshoba Central despite a big game by Williams, with 36 points and 13 rebounds. The Lady Whippets led 27-25 at the half, but were outscored 24-11 in the third quarter. With Kosciusko in foul trouble, the Lady Rockets stretched the lead in the final period.
Zharia Leflore scored 22 points for Neshoba Central.
Kosciusko played Greenwood Tuesday and will be off until after Thanksgiving.
Both coaches said the tournament, an annual event, went well. “There was a great turnout and a lot of competitive games. It was all you could hope for,” Greenleaf said.
Premier Medical Group Shootout scores
Girls – Leake County 55 West Lowndes 39
Boys – West Lowndes 58 Leake County 52
Girls – Madison St. Joseph 55 McAdams 32
Boys – McAdams 60, Madison St. Joseph 57
Girls – Lake 42 Columbus 34
Boys – Marion (Arkansas) 60 Columbus 45
Boys – Grenada 65 West Lauderdale 47
Girls – Kosciusko 48 Grenada 36
Boys –Philadelphia 39 Kosciusko 30
