Thrilla in Camilla – No. 3-ranked Edison Calhoun County edges No. 4-ranked Camilla Mitchell County
By Joe Whitfield
Sports Editor
CAMILLA — Calhoun County’s Jaden Welch hit a short jumpshot with 13 seconds left in the game Tuesday night to break a 50-50 tie and help the No. 3-ranked Cougars survive against No. 4-ranked Mitchell County with a 55-50 win. Pandemonium ensued among the large contingent of Cougar fans who made the trip from Edison to Camilla.
The Cougars are now 15-4 overall and 10-0 in Region 1-A. Mitchell County is now 15-3 overall with a region record of 9-2.
The two teams went back and forth all night and showed how evenly matched they were. The Cougars jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the opening seconds with two threes from Dallas George, but Mitchell County then scored the next 10 points and led 13-10 after the first quarter. George scored all 10 points in the first quarter for Calhoun.
The Cougars took a 24-21 lead into halftime and started hot again in the third quarter. All-state guard Jasiyah Suber stole a pass and slammed home two points early in the third to give Calhoun a 29-23 lead and the Cougars eventually went up by 11 points early in the fourth when George drilled another three from the corner to put the score at 49-38.
Mitchell County head coach Antonio Haynes called time out to regroup and his planned worked. The Eagles put on an intense full-court trapping press that rattled the Cougars, causing turnovers such as traveling and back court violations plus some errant passes.
Mitchell County all-state guard Landon Quimbley drilled a three0pointer that closed the gap to 49-43 and the Eagles got another break when Calhoun’s big man inside, Amajion Figgins fouled out with 5 minutes left to play.
The Eagles continued their tenacious defense and Quimbley tied the game with a layup with 3:52 remaining — causing the Mitchell County fans to get racous. The loudness became defeaning moments later when Mitchell County guard Jamond Vicks hit a free throw to break the tie and give the Eagles a 50-49 lead.
Unfortunately for Mitchell County fans, that was the Eagles’ final point. Welch hit his jumpshot and the Eagles were unable to respond. The Cougars added late fre throws on a technical foul call that was assessed when Mitchell County tried to call time out, but the Eagles didn’t have any left.
George scored 21 points to lead Calhoun County and Darnell Enocher added eight.
Zilon Hawkins led Mitchell County with 16 points, Quimbley finished with 13, and Jaquavian Williams added 12.
Mitchell County has two more home region games this weekend. Friday they will host Early County and Saturday No. 8-ranked Seminole County comes to Camilla.
Calhoun County will also host two region games this weekend with two of its biggest rivals. Randolph-Clay comes to Edison Friday night and Terrell County on Saturday night.
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