ITTA BENA — Quick starts enabled the Coahoma County High School boys and girls to earn double-digit victories in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A state tournament against New Site at Mississippi Valley State University Thursday.
The Lady Red Panthers (28-3, 10-0) won 48-35 and will face the winner of Friday’s 4 p.m. game between West Lincoln and Bay Springs at Pearl River Community College. The semifinals will be 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.
The Red Panthers (22-10, 9-1) earned a 55-41 victory and will face the winner of the game at 7 p.m. Friday between Amite County and North Forrest at Pearl River Community College. The semifinals will be at noon Tuesday at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.
The boys and girls lost key athletes from previous years who helped them compete for championships. However, coach Derrick Moore feels with the rosters he has in place, CCHS has an opportunity to bring home two state championships.
“It’s going to take a lot of work,” Moore said. “We lose a lot of good people, but we’ve still got a lot of good people. We’ve just got to work. We spend our summers working. We don’t take off, so we’re going to work. They know what’s at stake. They know what they’ve got to do to keep this level of competition up. We’re just going to keep working. I’m excited.”
Senior guard Bentavious Galmore, who signed with Delta State University last week, led the Red Panthers in scoring with 19 points. He connected on five 3-pointers and scored 13 consecutive points for his team to close the first half and start the third quarter.
Senior forward Nakia Cheatham led the Lady Red Panthers with 17 points. She scored 7 of her points during the first quarter as Coahoma County jumped out to a 15-6 lead it did not relinquish.
The winner of Tuesday’s semifinals games will play in the state championship at Ole Miss Friday, March 6. The Class 2A championship for the girls is scheduled for 1 p.m. with the boys following at 3.
Look for an updated story on the quarterfinals and semifinals in next Wednesday’s Press Register.
