Itawamba CC leads entire way of championship game

By Melakikki Edwards

The Selma Times-Journal

MARION – After winning over Oxford College Friday night in the semifinals of the Southern States Tip-Off, the Marion Military Institute Tigers lost to the Itawamba Community College Indians 88-62 in the championship game Saturday.

“I thought Itawamba did a great job. They played harder and more aggressive than we did,” said MMI coach Al Blanton. “They stepped up and made shots. That was the difference.”

The Indians won the tipoff, sunk a basket, and never looked back.

They never let up, playing hard the entire game and leading the entire game.

The Indians’ man-to-man defense forced several turnovers from the Tigers, and they were able to put points on the board because of them.

“They disrupted our offensive set with their man-to-man defense.

It was as if we were just running around out on the floor,” said Blanton.

The Tigers (1-1) were able to cut the lead to two points in the first half, but after some costly mistakes the Indians pulled the lead up to nine and were ahead 44-35 at the half.

With 13:27 left to play in the second half, the Tigers found themselves down 15 points. They committed several fouls that sent the Indians to the free throw line for 18 points.

The Indians’ biggest lead of the game was 25 with a little more than two minutes left to play in the game.

Dall Coleman led Itawamba with 30 points and five rebounds. He was also named the most valuable player of the tournament. Anthony Brock followed with 18 points and three rebounds.

Larricus Brown finished with 12 points and four rebounds. Joey Davis and Greg Smith both contributed eight points.

“Our team played hard.

We always play hard,” said Blanton.

“They were just a little more physical. We couldn’t get our offensive set going, therefore we couldn’t put points on the board.”

Jonathan Overstreet led the Tigers with 15 points and three rebounds. James Bolden followed with 13 points and five rebounds, and Brandon Bell contributed eight points.