Wallace-Selma, Meridian split two contests

By Buster Wolfe | Selma Times-Journal

Published Sunday, November 15, 2009

SELMA — Wallace Community College Selma men’s basketball coach repeated a sports adage after his team defeated Meridian (Miss.) CC on Saturday afternoon.

“Offense scores points, but defense wins games.”

His Patriots’ defense gave the offense the edge in an 86-73 victory after trailing 37-36 at halftime.

The Lady Patriots fell victim to a stronger Meridian squad 75-57 in the opener.

“We laid back in the first half and let them get ahead,” Lane said. “Then we shifted gears in the second half.”

Jerel People, one of two sophomores on the Wallace Selma team, said the Patriots stepped it up after halftime.

“We knew we had to get aggressive on defense and offense,” he said.

Wallace Selma guard Willie Cooper was one of the main catalysts in the second half. He scored 19 points to lead the Patriots. Sixteen points came in the second half.

“We’re a young team trying to put 40 minutes together,” Lane said. “We needed to concentrate on getting inside so the outside shot would get open.”

Travares Williams added 16 points for Wallace Selma, followed by Charles Knight with 12 and LaVaughan Nicholson with 10.

The Patriots, however, hit only 18 of 29 free throws on the night.

Ma’Quirus Burton had 18 points to lead Meridian.

For the Lady Patriots, Sher’Ryan Scott was the game leader with 26 points.

Meridian’s Lady Eagles had only one shooter in double figures — LaDarica Campbell with 17. But 10 Merdian players had points.

“They beat us in every way,” said Wallace assistant coach Herman Turner. “They are strong, quick and good shooters.”

Wallace trailed at halftime 51-22 after Meridian took control early.

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