CLARKSDALE- The Coahoma Mighty Tigers sent shock waves through the Coahoma Community College community after making huge strides in the 2018-19 basketball season. Head Coach Micheal Stringer has taken notice of the big improvements made from the court to the classroom. Coahoma performed their absolute best to earn some huge victories, but they also took heart-breaking losses. Recently, the team wanted their last hurrah against crosstown rival Mississippi Delta to end in triumph.
Coahoma showed up and showed out on Sophomore Night in an 88-60 victory. They get the regular season sweep of Mississippi Delta. This is their first MACJC North sweep since the team's matchup against Northeast Mississippi in 2014.
Both teams were going at it early. Robert Boyd and Jaborris Frazier fired up the floor and got things going with a pair of layups. The Tigers took an early 14-12 lead.
Mississippi Delta (10-13, 5-7 MACJC North) answered 16-15 with a pair of layups by Dalvin Chapman and Quintaures Boatman.
Denori Berry entered the zone with 3 straight three-pointers that gave Coahoma a lead of 24-18.
The Tigers finished the first half strong when Boyd and Cornelius Holly scored a pair of baskets. Coahoma led with 38-32 at the half.
The Trojans powerfully began the second half with a put-back dunk by Brandon Kimble. They cut the lead to 38-34.
Coahoma took charge and never looked back. Boyd, Holly and Terry Williams knocked down 3 consecutive three-pointers. Then Holly and Berry scored another pair of three-pointers to give the Tigers a commanding 79-48 lead.
The Tigers outscored the Trojans 50-28 in the second half. They scored more than 57 percent (16-28) of shots from the field and 71 percent from the free throw line.
"These kids have been working hard all season and giving everything they have," said Stringer. "You are building the bridge for the next team to push the program further. I'm very proud of these sophomores for building an all-around foundation at Coahoma."
Two players from the Mississippi Delta men's squad scored in double figures. Boatman led the Trojans with 12 points and three rebounds. Khalil Strickland tallied 10 points and four rebounds.
Coahoma had three players to score in double figures. Berry led the Tigers with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks. Boyd finished with 22 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Holly scored 10 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
This was the last home game for Coahoma at The Pinnacle this season. 13 sophomores were honored in a special ceremony.
The Mighty Tigers commended their six sophomores (Terry Williams, Dequan Morris, Jaborris Frazier, Robert Boyd, DeNori Berry, and Rickey Smith Jr.) on successful matriculation during halftime. Seven athletically gifted players from the Lady Tigers team (Walneika Holmes, Khiyee Robinson, Dzondria Young, Essence Lambert, Ukari Pimpton, Faith Harrington and Ke'Aisa Pittman) also received applauses from the stands.
Coahoma's graduating cheerleaders and tumblers (Ladarius Houston, Shamar Davis, Xavier Taylor, Yasmine Harper, Yasmin Hunter, Lashaundra Bell, KeAisa Pittman, Kobreana Smith, and Brooklyn Powell) were recognized as well.
Coahoma has won the most games in a season since 2013-2014. They combined with the Lady Tigers for their first MACJC North double-header sweep since 2016. The Mighty Tigers finished the season 8-15, 3-9 MACJC North.
