The Latta Vikings boys and girls basketball teams opened the 2011-2012 season on Tuesday with losses to Marion.
The Vikings fell to the Swamp Foxes 70-45. Marion got off to a strong start, outscoring Latta 19-10 in the first quarter. Latta added 15 points in the second, but the Swamp Foxes led 32-25 at the half. Marion would score twice as much as Latta in the third, posting 24 points to Latta’s 12, and then outscore them again in the fourth 14-8 for the final score of 70-45.
Marion was led by Marqui McKelvy with a game-high 22 points and DJ Kelly with 18. Michael Outlaw added 10; Chris Washington, 8; Kevin Rowell, 6; Terry Wiggins and Yamod Rowell added two each; and Keon Foxworth and Edward Nelson each added a point in the win.
Latta was led by Rajit McFadden with 11 points and Donell Stanley with eight. Hykeem McClellan earned seven, Travise Kinney scored six, DJ Legette added four, RJ McClam scored three, and Tysean Burgess, Justin McClellan, and Charles McGill each added two.
The Vikings start the season 0-1, but still hope to improve on last season’s 6-14 record. The team returned all of their key players from last season, including Hykeem McClellan, Rajit McFadden, DJ Legette, and Donell Stanley. Vikings Coach Tony Whittington said he hope the team will be more experienced with more senior leadership this season.
Meanwhile, the Lady Vikings fell to Marion 67-48. Marion outscored Latta 14-10 and 20-9 to lead 34-19 at the half. The Lady Swamp Foxes added 16 points to Latta’s 7 in the third, but the Lady Vikings rallied to earn 22 points in the fourth, though it wasn’t enough to overcome Marion’s lead.
Krystal Washington and Tyshanna Lester each earned a game-high 25 points for Marion. KeyEssence Foxworth added nine points; Jasmine Gause, 5; and Shatoria Dunkins and Latrina Graves each added one.
Tianna Deberry led Latta with a team-high 24 points. Brittany Burgess added seven, Jessica Evans scored six, and Maya Wright earned three, while Courtney McCullock, Silesia Braddy, Takeria Leggette, and Kierra Johnson each added two.
Both Latta teams will face Mullins on Friday, December 2, before traveling to Marion on Tuesday, December 6, for another meeting with the Swamp Foxes.
