LOCAL SPORTS IN BRIEF

JUNIOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL KC in doubleheader at Panola tonight

Both Kilgore College basketball teams will be in action tonight in Carthage at Panola College, the Region XIV Conference openers for all four teams.

Tipoff for the ladies’ game will be at 5:30 p.m., with the men’s contest to follow.

Coach Contina James’ Lady Rangers (4-3) come off a nailbiter, a 77-76 home win over McClennan in overtime on Saturday. The Lady Rangers are led in scoring by Adonna Weaver, who averages 17 points and nine rebounds per game, and Kirsten McBride, who’s averaging 10 points per contest.

Also for KC, Dominique Brown is averaging 5.6 assists per game.

Panola’s Lady Fillies are 6-2 so far this season, winning three games last week. They’re led by the conference’s leading scorer, Tasha Marisett, who averages just over 23 points (and 12 rebounds) per game. Also, Charity Czerwinski has been impressive for PC, contributing with seven assists per game.

Coach Scott Schumacher’s Runnin’ Rangers are 4-1 this season — they had the weekend off. Maybe that’s because they’re very busy this week, facing Panola tonight and then taking part in the Angelina Thanksgiving Classic at Angelina College in Lufkin, beginning Thanksgiving Day.

KC is led by Marcus Hubbard, who averages 14.5 points per game in the young season. James Causey is averaging 6.3 assists and 3.5 steals per contest.

The Runnin’ Rangers will face a potent Panola offense, which is averaging 110 points per game. Their leaders: Mykal Riley (20.3 points per game) and Kechan Myers (16.5 per game). Also, a third player, Darren Hopkins, is averaging double-figures (15) and Asrangue Souleymane leads the conference in rebounding, almost hitting 15 per contest.

Both games will air live on the college’s radio station, KTPB 88.7-FM, called by Manny Almanza.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Kilgore girls at Rusk tonight

Coming off a win at home over Sabine last night, the Kilgore High School Lady Bulldogs are getting their fill of non-district games. The Lady ’Dogs (2-3) are back in action today, traveling to Rusk. Freshmen will tip off at 4 p.m., with junior varsity and varsity to follow.

Coach Tracy Kincade’s Lady ’Dogs beat an experienced Sabine team Monday night, 55-39. Kilgore scored 17 firstperiod points to build a big lead it would not relinquish.

“This was a good game for us defensively,” Kincade said, “and it gave us a chance to play people outside our normal rotation. The girls are getting better every game.”

Kilgore got a monster game from sophomore Ashia Kelly, who scored 18 points, pulled down nine rebounds, blocked seven shots, grabbed five steals, and contributed seven assists. “She really played well,” Kincade said.

LaJohnna Woolridge had 13 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists — “She played a great overall floor game,” Kincade assessed — and Tai’Shea Reese scored seven points and had three steals.

Also for KHS, Jami Hein and Lakelia Williams each scored six, and Christina Mumphrey scored five.

For Sabine in that contest, Courtnee Ryan, a freshman, led with 13 points. Marlana Brittain had six, as did sophomore Kati Kossa, and Lacey James and Sandy James each scored four. Samantha Jackson had two points, and also had six rebounds. Ryan led the Lady Cardinals on the boards with seven.

Kilgore’s tough non-district schedule also included a game last Friday at home against Winnsboro, ranked third in the state in Class 3A. Kilgore lost, 49-34, but played well defensively, Kincade said.

The Lady ’Dogs trailed just 22-17 at halftime, and by eight points at the end of the third period. They closed to within four points in the fourth period, with about six minutes left.

“...The girls are starting to believe in the system and each other,” the coach said.

For KHS against Winnsboro, Kelly finished with 15 points, four rebounds, seven blocks, and two assists. Woolridge had nine points, four rebounds, three steals and six assists, and Reese had six points, a rebound and an assist. Williams scored four, grabbed two steals and had two assists.

The JV, coached by Jerry Reddic, also defeated Sabine, 4813. For KHS, Ashley Davis scored 11, and Raven Wiley scored 10. Whitney Brown scored six, Jalisa Alexander and B.J. Johnson each scored five, and Yamika Smith and Yasmine Morgan each scored four. Shae Morgan added three.

KHS led 26-6 at the half, and Reddic’s JV is 3-2 this season.

The KHS boys, who lost to Chapel Hill Friday night, are off this week, and will be back in action Nov. 29 at Mount Pleasant. West Rusk wins again

The West Rusk Lady Raiders, fresh off their participation in the Union Grove tournament over the weekend, defeated East Texas Christian School, 66-21, on Monday night.

West Rusk (4-2 this season) scored 29 points in the second period.

Patricia Patin led WRHS with 22 points, and Shan Hawkins scored 16. Destiny Walker also hit double figures, scoring 11 points. Erin Bates scored seven, Alex Hammontree six, Beth Ann Wedgeworth and Monica Alexander each scoring two.

— BY SPORTS EDITOR MITCH LUCAS