ladyrams

Keisha Carter drove the red automobile called Provine girls basketball all the way to the Class 4A state championship last year. She had some great wheels like All-State forward Tosha Christmas to make the ride smooth. Carter is the only starter back from that team, but Provine is still on the fast track to another state title. Carter, along with four new starters, moved another step toward that second straight championship with a 67-49 victory over visiting Kosciusko Monday night in the first round of the North Mississippi 4A playoffs before an estimated 250. Provine, ranked No. 6 in The Clarion-Ledger final regular season public school poll, improved to 23-5 and meets Yazoo City, a surprise winner over No. 13 Oxford, in the North 4A semifinals Friday. Kosciusko finished 16-16. While Christmas is playing at Midland College, a Texas junior college, Carter has a new player to help her with the scoring load this season. Jessica Houston, who was ineligible last year after transferring from Brandon, is averaging a team-high 17 points, 3 more than Carter. Houston only scored 6 Monday, but she ignited Provine on a 17-0 run in the first half. "Jessica has picked up where Tosha left off. Jessica's a future Dandy Dozen player," said Carter, who had 15 points and five assists Monday. "We might be younger than last year, but we've got some good players. We've got to play good defense, block out and rebound and push the ball down the floor to win another state championship." Provine forced Kosciusko into 29 turnovers using a combination of half-court and full-court zones to rattle the Lady Whippets. Also, Provine received key contributions off its bench from junior Sandra Harper, sophomore Christie Smith and freshman Tenesha Brown. Harper had 13 points off the bench, including 7 in the fourth quarter. "We didn't play our best tonight, but our bench helped us out," said fifth-year Provine coach Barbara Hartzog, whose only losses are to No. 3 Callaway by 1, No. 7 Murrah by 4, Choctaw Central by 7, Canton by 1 and Bailey (without Carter) by 3. "We don't have the experience we had last year, but these girls are learning. They are getting better." Second-year Kosciusko coach Carlos Smith watched his team jump out to a 9-4 lead, fall behind by as many as 15 before climbing back to within 4 with 3:40 to play. "Provine has those two left-handed girls (Carter and Houston) who are quick, can shoot, dribble and play good defense," Smith said. "I saw Provine play last year and what I see as the difference with this year's team, they aren't putting teams away like last year. They let us back into this game tonight. That team last year wouldn't have. But give Provine credit, they finished it off and has had a good season." Kosciusko, which lost to Louisville four times and Choctaw Central and Durant three times each this season, was led by 6-foot junior center Martina Peteet with 17 points. Senior guard Robin Dawson added 15 points before fouling out with 2:17 to play.

"Keisha Carter"

Provine's Jessica Houston drives for a layup against Kosciusko's Tan Harmon Monday. Houston is a key addition for the Lady Rams this year.

"Jessica Houston"

It was evident when the players hit the Mississippi Coliseum floor for pregame introductions Monday afternoon that Poplarville had a size advantage on Provine. The Lady Rams greeted that revelation with a collective shrug. "Everybody's bigger than us," Provine coach Barbara Hartzog said, breaking into a wide grin. Relying on the quickness that fuels the trademark defense that has brought down so many of those taller foes, Provine beat Poplarville 85-66 in a Class 4A opener of the Girls State Tournament. Provine, ranked No. 6 in The Clarion-Ledger final regular season poll, improved to 25-6. The defending 4A champions will play Bay St. Louis, 33-1, in Friday night's semifinal in a rematch of last year's final. Poplarville finishes at 25-5. "It was a sad end to a good season," said Lady Hornets coach Annette Smith, whose team was making its second straight appearance at the Coliseum. Poplarville, starting a pair of girls in the 6-foot range up front, held its own for a quarter and a half. Down 22-13 after one period, the Lady Hornets got within one, 26-25, with 4 minutes, 23 seconds left before half. But Provine, which had flashed its pressure defense in the first quarter, unleashed the press again. As the turnovers piled up for the Lady Hornets, the Lady Rams' lead grew steadily. It was 47-32 at halftime, 58-34 � and all but over � some 2 minutes into the third quarter. Provine pushed ahead by 30 in the fourth quarter before Hartzog went to a delay game and then emptied the bench with 2 minutes left. By one account, Poplarville committed 30 turnovers. "We've handled it well all year," Smith said. "Maybe it was a little bit of nerves." Maybe it was a little more of Provine's quick feet and hands. "We emphasize defense," Hartzog said. "That's what wins games for us. They always say, defense and rebounding wins championships." The Lady Rams, whose tallest starter is 5-7, had some problems rebounding early on against Poplarville's inside players, Amanda Dedeaux and Cicely Tatum. But ultimately, the Provine pressure out front rendered the height advantage moot. Provine limited Tatum (15 points) and Dedeaux (6) to 21 points. Nikki Smith led the Lady Hornets with 17. "The way we play, we'll make you turn the ball over," said Dandy Dozen senior guard Keisha Carter, Provine's only returning starter from last year's title team. "We believe if we play good defense, we'll win." Anesia McBride led Provine with 16 points, and Jessica Houston followed with 15. Carter scored 13, including a 3-pointer to start the game, and Tenesha Brown and Sandra Harper added 12 each.

"Dyelecia Ball"