2head

By Herman B. Ward, Jr.
Associate Editor
Coach Eddie Jackson called a time-out early in the fourth quarter with Sumter High trailing by 15
points and told his team, “If you want it, you have to go out and get it.”
They did.
Sumter High point guard and tournament Most Valuable Player Katia May went to work in the
fourth quarter penetrating the Madison County defense to score or draw the foul which
amounted to the same thing.
The Lady Wildcats dissolved the Madison County lead and won the game in the final seconds
53-50 for the first Girls State Championship since 1978.
“I just told them at the end of the game that I didn’t have a play that would get us back from 15
down,” Coach Jackson said.
“I said if you want a State Championship, you’ve got to go over there and take it from them
because they certainly are not going to give it to us,” Coach Jackson added.
“It was a team effort,” stated head Coach Jackson.
Katia May lead the offense with 23 points, seven rebounds and six steals. Jemesha Watkins
delivered 15 points to the basket, five steals and seven rebounds. Doretha Holloway scored
five with four rebounds, Shaquala Bryant had three, Alfondria Brown hit three, Juanita Newton
scored three, Juanice Newton added one more to the victory.
Coach Jackson said he knew it would take a team effort to defeat the number one ranked
Madison County Girls.
“I knew we could play with them but to actually beat them I knew it would take a good team
effort,” explained Coach Jackson.
“They were the number one team in the State and the fifth best team out of all classifications in
the State. It was a pretty big test for us but I think we came through,” Coach said.
The Wildcats were ranked number seven in the 3-A division.
Coach Jackson responded to questions about the performance of point guard Katia May in the
fourth quarter.
“She just told everybody to give her the ball and let her run the show and that’s what we did. We
let her take over the game,” commented Coach Jackson.
“It was no specific plan and no specific strategy. It was nothing special I did. Those girls worked
hard all year and they just wanted it. They deserved it,” added Coach.
Coach Jackson commented on the level of defense the lady Wildcats demonstrated and said it
was the key the fourth quarter rally.
“We take a lot of pride in our defense and we have been playing at that level all year. I always
tell them if we are going to win then defense is what will win it. Not just offense,” Coach Jackson
said.
Coach Jackson also commended the players for shooting well from the free throw line in the
fourth quarter. The Lady Cats sank 13 free throws in the fourth which helped them gain the
three point advantage over Madison County.
“Usually we don’t shoot free throws well at the end of the game but I guess it was some Divine
intervention in that,” Coach said with a smile.
“We’ve been working on free throws for the last couple of games so it paid off,” Coach stated.
Coach Jackson commended all of his players as well as the assistant coaches.
“If it weren’t for my assistants I don’t know where I would be. Cadaro Wilson, Edith Scott and
Willie Sue Presswood, and Harold Harris are a great staff.
“I also want to thank the fans for all of their support and I hope they will continue to come out
and support girls basketball,” Coach Jackson said.
Sumter High Principal Richard Kelly said several Lays Wildcat players said the way the fans
were cheering and the presence of the fans gave them a lot of motivation during the game.
Sumter High Principal Richard Kelly said he was very proud of the Lady Cats and said he was
also proud of the support from the fans.
“I am very, very proud. These Sumter County High School Wildcats made history,” Principal
Kelly said.
“This is the first time since 1978 that the SCHS Lady Wildcats have won the State Championship.
“We are especially proud of those three young ladies that made the All-Tournament Team,”
added Principal kelly.
Katia May Jamesha Watkins, and Doretha Holloway were all selected as all tournament team
members.
“We are also very proud of Coach Jackson and his staff for all of the hard work they obviously
did throughout the season to make it to the State Championship and to win it and bring it all
home,”
“I found myself cheering and getting out of control. I’m glad I was there to witness that historic
moment and we are already preparing to bring it home next year,” Principal Kelly added.
Sumter Superintendent Dr. Fred Primm was also present and made this statement following the
game.
“It was just an outstanding effort and I am so proud of how they didn’t give up. They really made
all of us look good. I also appreciate the efforts of the supporters who drove up here to support
the girls and I think the fact that they continue to cheer even when things were looking bad for
us made a big difference,” stated Sumter Superintendent Dr. Fred Primm.
Sumter County High ended the season with a 27-3 over-all record.