Alabama sweeps Mississippi again

Published 10:33 pm Friday, March 20, 2009

For the second-straight year, Alabama has swept Mississippi in the neighboring states’ All-Star basketball classic.

The Alabama girls defeated Mississippi 81-73 Friday night at the Pelham Civic Complex, while the boys’ finished the night with a 78-74 victory to complete the state’s seventh Classic sweep in 19 years.

Brandon Peterson of Erwin High School led Alabama with 15 points and Parker’s Eric Bledsoe had 12, as Alabama broke a 9-9 series tie.

Bama either led or was tied for all but 33 seconds of the game, as it took a 42-34 lead into the half and stretched the lead to 13, 49-36, early in the second half. Mississippi battled back to outscore Alabama, 26-12 over the next seven minutes to take a 62-61 lea, but a Milton Curry dunk pushed Alabama back in the lead moments later.

Isaiah Cannon, who had 18 points for Mississippi, hit one of his four 3-pointers to tie the game, 67-67 with 6:00 to play, but that’s as close as the Magnolia State would get. Mississippi was 0-for-6 from 3-point range in the final six minutes of the game, attempting only three shots in the paint during the span, two of which was good. The final three points came from free throws from Robert Williams and Cannan.

Emery Kelly led Mississippi with 12 points.

The girls started the day with an 81-73 victory after leading 38-22 at the break. It’s the third-straight win for Alabama and 11th overall.

Despite giving up a game-opening layup, Alabama never relinquished the lead, as it grew to as many as 13 points, 74-61, with five minutes to play.

Sparkman’s Adrienne Webb, who is headed to LSU, led Alabama with 20 points, while Meghan Perkins, of Carver-Montgomery, had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Talladega’s Jessica Merritt and Bob Jones’ Jala Harris each scored 10. Bob Jones forward Sametria Gideon led Alabama with 14 rebounds, 11 on defense.

Laneisha Jennie led Mississippi with 15 points, followed by Brandi Simmons with 12 and 10 apiece from Tanecka Carey and Kenyatta Epps.

Ed Daniel of Woodlawn High School won the slam-dunk competition.