The Winona boys basketball team rode a big first quarter and a strong game by Davandre Bays to its first region victory in nearly two years, 61-48 over Morton.
“We had a great start. Probably the best start we had all year,” said Coach Presley Coleman.
The Tigers led 23-5 after one quarter and stretched the advantage to 36-16 at the half and 53-29 through three quarters. With reserves in the game, Winona was outscored 19-8 in the fourth quarter.
“We pressed them full court from the start, got some turnovers and made some easy baskets,” Coleman said. “We talked about getting a good start and keeping our foot on them. We came out and dominated.
“That was as hard as the kids have played all year," he said. "Offensively, we shared the ball. Guys made the extra pass. It was a good team win.”
Bays scored 23 points on 8 of 13 shooting from the floor and 7 of 10 from the line. He also had seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. “He capped it off with a dunk in the third quarter,” Coleman said.
Robert McMath added 12 point and four assists.
In an earlier region game, the Tigers were defeated by Southeast Lauderdale 54-19. Winona trailed by only a point, 8-7, after one quarter, but Southeast Lauderdale took command by outscoring Winona 15-4 in the second period.
“We played pretty well defensively, but offensively we couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean,” Coleman said. “I have to give them credit. Southeast Lauderdale is probably the best defensive team we have faced al year.
Bays led the Tigers with 10 points. McMath and Trey Glover were the leading rebounders with five each.
The Tigers are 6-15 overall and 1-4 in Region 5-3A.
Lady Tigers
The Lady Tigers also had a win against Morton 54-27 and a loss to Southeast Lauderdale 45-35.
Winona jumped out to a 21-2 lead over Morton after one quarter and was never challenged. It was 34-10 at the half.
“We came out ready to play, got some turnovers and converted them into points,” said Coach Frank Miller. “We let up a little in the second half but overall it was a good division win.”
Tommesha Brown had 15 points for the Lady Tigers, MyCala Helms 12 and Abria Weathersby 11. Brown had nine points and Helms six during the big first quarter.
Winona trailed Southeast Lauderdale by only three points with three minutes left, but Southeast was able to pull away with free throw shooting. “It was a situation where we had to foul and they converted,” Miller said.
Southeast was 11 of 12 from the line in the fourth quarter.
Brown scored 15 points and Tyra Weathersby 9 for Winona Winona played Kemper County Tuesday and will be at Eupora Friday. In earlier games with Eupora, the Lady Tigers won 44-37, but the Tigers were defeated 61-53.
