Bulldog basketball team drops to 1-1 after first loss of the season

COAOMA - They were only six. But they stood strong and tall, indicated by Midessa's 55-32 win over the Coahoma Bulldogs in basketball action here Tuesday afternoon.

The Midessa Warriors is a home schooled institution. They play in a independent league in the state. Due to the holiday season and injuries, the Warriors brought a scaled down squad. But the six players defied the odds with a strong win, not even struggling with foul trouble. The win brings Midessa's record to 5-4 while Coahoma falls to 1-1.

After the first quarter Midessa dominated the game. The Warriors only led 14-10 after the first quarter, stretched it to 26-15 at the half and led 37-23 going into the final quarter. The Warriors did it by dominating the boards against the smaller Bulldogs, time and time again they turned offensive rebounds into points.

Raheem Ashford and Ryan Shiflett kept Coahoma close in the first quarter, combining for seven points. Ashford began hot, making his first three baskets, but then went on to missing his next six shots. He finished the game with nine points.

Shifflet finished the contest strong, leading the Bulldogs with 15 points on a 5 of 12 shooting night.

The Warriors outrebounded Coahoma 38-23, led by Steve Cooley's 13 rebounds to go along with 16 points. Jeff Bond, also scored 16 points to go along with seven rebounds. .Jerrod Smith added 11 points and eight rebounds.

Coahoma coach Brandon Lucas said its good experience for his team to play a team of this caliber which has a handful of games under its belt. "They've played quite a few more games than we have. They are basketball heady and they are fundamentally sound. We've got to play teams like that to get better,: said Lucas. "It shows we've got much to work on, me myself and the kids. I

did thought we did a good job later in the game of sliding over to help against their drives."

The Bulldogs next game will be No. 30 on the road against Grady.

COAHOMA - Arian Emerson 1 2 4; Ryan Shifflett 5-5-15; Blayk Vaneoy 1 03; Billy Bailey 0 1 1; Raheem Ashford 4 1 9; totals 11-44, 9-13 32.

MIDESSA - Sean Williams 1 0 3; Steve Cooley 7 1 16; Jeff Pond 8 0 16; Jerrod Smitty 5 1 11; Cole Rawls 2 1 5; Nate Pannus 2 0 6; totals 26-54, 3-12 55. Coahoma - 10-05-08-09 - 32.

Midessa -14-12-11-18 - 55.

Turnovers - Coahoma 9, Midessa 9; Three-Pointers (Coahoma Vaneoy 1)Midessa - Cooley 2, Williams 1); Rebounds - Coahoma 23 (Emerson 6, Ashford 5); Midessa 37 (Cooley 13,Smitty 8, Pond 7); Assists - ; Coahoma (Ky Kemper 2); Midessa (Williams 3, Pond 2); Steals - Coahoma (Emmerson 2); Midessa (Smitty 2), Blocked Shots .- Coahoma (Shiflett 1, Ashford 1); Midessa (Pond 2).