SPORTS EDITOR

WILLIAMSON, W.Va - The 2009 Mingo County Middle School Girls Tournament got underway Wednesday night at the Williamson Fieldhouse.

In first round action, No. 4 seeded Kermit defeated No. 5 seed Williamson 34 to 21.

Kermit Head Coach Okey Smith was obviously pleased with his team’s win "I was pleased with our effort defensively and we shot the ball better tonight than we have in a while." Smith added "I would like commend Coach Hatcher and the Williamson girl's team. They are a first class group. We have played three tough games against them this year, and we were lucky to win the last two times."

Smith already knows the challenge ahead of him "We know we have to have the same type of effort tomorrow against a very good Gilbert team, it will be a challenge, I think our girls will play good."

No. 3 Burch was to take on No. 6 seeded Matewan in the night cap but as of presstime no information had been received as to the outcome.

In tonight's games, #1 seeded Gilbert will play Kermit at 6:00

#2 Seed Lenore will play the winner of Burch-Matewan at 7:15.

A coin flip between Lenore and Gilbert determined the tournament’s number one and two seedings.

On Saturday, the consolation game will be played at 11:00 a.m. and the County Championship game will be played at 12:30 p.m.

Scoring by Quarters:

KMS 8- 8-10- 8 = 34

WMS 4- 3- 4-10 = 21



Scoring by team:

Kermit:Whitney Sturgell 13, Amanda Fitzpatrick 6, Elizabeth Dotson 6, Adreana Vance 5,

Amber Linville 2,Kaitlyn Dillon 2.



Williamson:Valerie White 9, Sydney Chapman 6, Tara Sexton 3, Kristen Johnson 2,

Emily Hatfield 1.