Parker leads MCC to win over Jones, Eagles 1-point shy of undefeated start in division

Lady Eagles 83
JCJC 77

Heading into Mondays night’s South Division showdown with Jones County, Meridian Community College coach Hillary Allen likely would have acknowledged that freshman Tiara Parker has been a big surprise this season.

Parker, a freshman from Meridian High, solidified her coach’s thoughts with a career high 23 points in leading MCC to a hard-fought 83-77 win over Jones County in the Graham Gymnasium.

Parker scored 18 of her 23 points in the first half to give the Lady Eagles a 50-41 lead at intermission.

Behind 16 points from Consuela Tucker, Jones County pulled within 2 points with just minutes to play.

MCC would convert on offense to pull away and secure their second division win.

“There’s no doubt that the play of our freshman led us to victory tonight,” said Allen.

Along with Parker, freshman Maranda Anderson played the point guard position most of the night for MCC, she scored 11 points and had had 10 assist.

NaDosha Strickland scored 23 points also for MCC and Jennifer Wair scored 15 points.

Deanna Booth had 14 points for Jones County.

The Lady Eagles, who improved to 12-2 (2-1), will face top-20 Copiah Lincoln Thursday night in Wesson. Jones (8-6 (1-2) will host Mississippi Gulf Coast in their next action.

Eagles 61
JCJC 62

Meridian’s men came into Monday nights contest vs. South Division foe- Jones County boasting an impressive undefeated divisional record and looking to stay atop the South Division standings.

Despite a game-high 27 points from sophomore Regis Huddleston, MCC suffered their first divisional loss, 62-61 to Jones County.

The Eagles took control of the game in the first five minutes thanks to 3-point baskets made by Huddleston and Otis Williams that gave the Eagles an 11-4 lead with 15:00 before half.

Jones County chipped away at the Eagles lead to get within 3 points at half, 27-24.

The second half would be back and forth, characterized mostly by turnovers and fouls. JCJC took their first lead in the second half with 13:16 left at 36-34.

With under a minute to play and the ballgame tied up at 58-58, Renell Collis a crucial 3-point basket to put JCJC up for good.

The Bobcats converted a free-throw to go up by 4 and Williams desperation 3-ponit baskets was good as time expired but it left MCC 1-point shy of staying undefeated in their division.

Travis Thompson scored 12 points for MCC and Williams added 9 points.

MCC (8-6, 2-1) travels to face Copiah-Lincoln Thursday night.

JCJC was led by Trenton Marshall and Collins with 13 points, Jonathan Woodland added 11 points.

Jones County (6-8, 2-1) will host Mississippi Gulf Coast Thursday.