By Stan Beall
The Star Herald
ETHEL —
The Ethel Tigers hosted the East Oktibbeha Titans last Friday night and dropped the Region 3 contest 65-59.
The Titans jumped on the Tigers early and led 20-11 after one quarter of play. The Tigers were able to turn the tables on the Titans in the second quarter by outscoring them 15-9, but still trailed 29-26 at the break.
The Titans came out strong in the third quarter and outscored the Tigers 17-11 to take a 46-37 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Tigers found their rhythm in the fourth quarter and outscored the Titans 22-19, but still dropped the contest 65-59. "The first quarter was terrible," said Tiger head coach Corey Parish. "We didn't have any intensity, but we were able to get back in it by halftime. This ball game came down to a lot of missed free throws––we missed 22, and in a six-point ball game, that'll kill you every time."
The leading scorers for the Tigers were Johnal Sullivan with 15 points, Ladarius Erving with 14 points and Bobby Potts as well as Markei Johnson with 12 points each.
The Tigers played Nanih Waiya Monday night in the opening round of the Region 3-1A Tournament and won the contest 88-77 to advance into the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
