Harper scores 29 in loss to Parklane
By James Beasley
The Copiah Academy Colonels exploded for 21 points in the fourth quarter, but the Oak Forest Jackets scored 22 points in the same period enroute to a 59-46 victory in Gallman last week.
The Colonels led 9-8 after one period, but trailed 18-16 at halftime. The Jackets outscored CA 19-9 in the pivotal third quarter and then matched the Colonels point-for-point over the final eight minutes to secure the win.
Copiah’s Dennis Harper led all scorers with 29 points, including five 3-pointers. He hit three 3-pointers and scored 11 of his points over the final eight minutes. Other CA totals included Reece Hankins with 7 points, Devon Harper with 4 points, Ben Boone with 3 points, Rob Pyron with 2 points, and Russell Hood with one point.
Drew Misita scored 20 points to lead the Jackets, who sank 12 free throws in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
At Parklane on Friday, the Pioneers outscored CA 33-11 in the first half and went on to whip the Colonels 56-37.
Dennis Harper was once again Copiah’s leading scorer with 9 points, followed by Adam Ganucheau with 8 points. Other CA totals included Michael Bagley with 6 points, Pyron with 5 points, Hood with 3 points, and Hankins and Boone with 2 points each.
Steven Swindle and Nick Penn led Parklane with 12 points apiece.
Girls’ Action
The Oak Forest Lady Jackets jumped out to a 19-4 first-quarter lead over Copiah Academy, and it proved to be the difference as they beat the Lady Colonels 54-44 in Gallman last Tuesday.
CA cut the margin to twelve, 28-16, by halftime, but fell behind 44-29 heading into the fourth period. And even though the Lady Colonels outscored Oak Forest 15-10 over the final eight minutes, it was not enough to overcome the 15-point deficit.
Rachel Strait was Copiah’s leading scorer with 16 points. Lori Baham was also in double figures with 12 points. Other CA scorers included Elizabeth Cliburn and Courtney Beach with 5 points each, Mary Landrum Pyron and Camryn Mitchell with 2 points apiece, and Whitney Phillips and Madelon Cline with one point each. Callie Populis led the winners with 20 points.
Later in the week, the Lady Colonels traveled to McComb, where they dropped a 56-36 decision to the Parklane Lady Pioneers. Once again, the first quarter proved to be the big difference as Parklane jumped out to an 18-8 lead. The Lady Pioneers led 32-19 at halftime and put the game away with a 17-11 run in the third period.
Baham led Copiah with 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Other CA totals included Cline with 8 points, Beach with 7 points, Strait with 4 points, Phillips with 3 points, and Logan Berry and Pyron with one point each. Kellen Choate was the Lady Pioneers’ leading scorer with 18 points.
