Selma cruises to tournament victory over Stanhope Elmore

By Bruce L. Holmes

The Selma Times-Journal

In the girls’ championship game of the Selma Invitational Tournament, MVP Erika Lumpkin scored 26 points as the Selma Lady Saints won the tournament title 68-24 over Stanhope Elmore.

Lumpkin sliced and diced the Lady Mustangs with three long 3-pointers in the opening quarter, giving Selma an 18-3 lead.

Amber Hawkins was the Mustangs’ leading scorer with nine points and scored Stanhope’s only three points of the opening quarter.

Ashley Grimes harassed the Mustangs’ guards all night, and racked up 10 points and three steals. Teammate Kameisha Strong (six points) caused several turnovers.

Junior Gabrielle Goudy, who had eight points and eight rebounds, was a force inside and scored all her points in the first half.

At one point, Rochelle Jones blocked Stanhope’s Brittney Pernell three times in one series. Pernell scored six points.

The Saints led at the half 35-14.

“Our post players showed up tonight,” Selma coach Anthony Harris said. “We had 20 turnovers, but we caused 20 turnovers. We’ll enjoy this win for a day, but Monday, we’re back in the gym. A Saint is never satisfied until the job is complete.

“Selma High would like to thank all teams for being a part of our tournament.”

The second half was all Selma. The starters were pulled early in the third quarter, and Latresha Witherspoon (eight points) and Keisha Moore (10 points) held the Lady Mustangs to one point.

Selma led 49-15 at the end of the third quarter.

The Lady Saints are now 35-1 at home since Harris took over in 2003.

Lanier-Marion

The Sidney Lanier Lady Poets beat Francis Marion 48-41 and won the consolation game of the Selma Invitational Tournament.

With 2:32 left in the third quarter, Marion’s Cassandra Woods put her team ahead 34-33. Woods scored 10 points in the ball game.

Kayla Melson, who scored 18 points and had seven rebounds, answered with a baseline move and bucket.

Niesha Haywood scored the last five points for Lanier and had 11 in the game.