The Miller County girls and boys’ basketball teams christened the new Pirate Gymnasium with a win on December 1, 2009, against the Calhoun County Lady Cougars and Cougars. The Lady Pirates held the lead all throughout the four quarters.

Katrina Crankfield (13), Sukena Diamond (13) and Salina Diamond (10) all scored in double digits while Amber Lovering tacked on three points. Antrenette Roseborough had two points, and Jasmine Crankfield added a point from the free throw line. The final score was Lady Pirates, 44, to Calhoun County Lady Cougars, 36.

Next up was the boys’ game. Calhoun’s boys came out fired up and led in the first half 36-34. Pirate fans do not know what Coach Tim said during half time locker room, but whatever it was; our boys came out ready to play basketball.

Top scorer for the game was Juwan Jones with 18 points, followed by Will Martin with 16 points. Cosby Salters added 15 points; Marques Shuler assisted with 9 points. Zenario Shuler tacked on 6 points while Makel Price, T.T. Barber, and Nick Price added on two points each. On the Calhoun County side, Knyhiah Zackery and Andre Carroll each scored 13 points while Marques Williams added 12 points, and Andreus Carr tacked on 11 points. The final scored was Miller County Pirates, 70, to Calhoun County Cougars, 61.

Then on December 3, our boys and girls traveled to Chattahoochee County to play the game of round ball. It was a heart-breaker for both of our teams. In our girls’ game, Sukena Diamond was the top scorer with 17 points, followed by her younger sister, Salina Diamond with 10 points, Katrina Crankfield added on 6 points while Ulbrika Daniels tacked on 4 points.

The tope scorer for Chattahoochee County was A. Jones with a total of 22 points. Chattahoochee led all the way throughout the game with the final score of Chattahoochee, 45, to Miller County Lady Pirates, 39.

In the boys’ game, Miller County was in the lead going into half time with the score of 28-22. But as the second half got underway, Chattahoochee got a second wind and began to move out in front and hold the lead to the end. Zenario Shuler scored 16 points; Cosby Salters scored 11 points. Jarrett Rahymes added on 8 points. Will Martin contributed 6 points while Makel Price added 3 and Nick Price had 2 points. Chattahoochee’s Birdie Jones was the top scorer with a total of 17 points.

Then on December 4, our boys and girls hosted the Quitman Lady Hornets and Hornets, and both games were exciting. In the girls’ game, our Lady Pirates held the lead all throughout the game. Again the top scorer for the Lady Pirates was Sukena Diamond, followed by her sister- Salina Diamond hitting 13 points, Krystal Stovall added 11 points while Katrina Crankfield hit 10 points. Antrenette Roseborough made 9 points. Ulbrika Daniels tacked 5 points, and Morgan Mock hit 4 points while Shanlia Kelley hit 3 points, and Amber Lovering tacked on two points.

Top scorers for Quitman were Aniyah Dennard with 9 points, Cassie Eleby with 7 points, and Daniella Wheeler with 6 points. The final score was Lady Pirates, 71, to Quitman Lady Hornets, 33.

In this boys’ game, it was dynamite! In the first quarter, Miller County held the lead 14-5, but at half-time, the game was tied 26-26. At the end of the third quarter, our boys held a two point lead, 45- 43, and as the fourth and final quarter began, this is where it got really exciting and nerve-racking. Both teams played hard, and the determination was on both sides. It came down neck and neck under 3 seconds of the game as the Pirates were able to pull off a win of 59-58. Top scorer for the Pirates was Will Martin, followed by Jarrett Rahymes with 12 points, Birthday boy - Cosby Salters hit 11 points. Zenario Shuler and Makel Price each added 4 points each while Marques Shuler tacked on 3 points, and Jeremy Stevens hit two points. Top scorers for Quitman were Cornelius Upshaw with 21 points, and Craig Christian with 18 points.

In an interview with Coach Tim Martin, he stated, “We are still undisciplined as far as running the offense due to lack of practice time together due to football season. The boys are hustling, and I am proud of each one of them. It is matter of time before we get under control, and I feel we will be a very good and strong team. We have been having balanced scoring throughout these three games. But we need to focus on individual and team defense. Then we will be back on track and a much better team.”

On Tuesday, December 8, our boys and girls will be traveling to Pelham with game time at 6:00 p.m. Then on Friday, December 11, our teams will be traveling to Terrell County with game time beginning at 6:00 p.m.

On Saturday, December 12, our boys and girls will be hosting the Early County Bobcats and Lady Bobcats, with a B-Team game beginning at 3 p.m.

So all you Pirate fans come out and support your basketball teams and your school with Pirate Pride.