By Chris Marquette

POPLARVILLE — The Poplarville boy’s basketball team jumped out to a quick start in Tuesday’s home contest against rival Picayune leading 16-5 at the end of the first quarter. They never looked back finishing the game 64-40 and improved their record to 7-1. Picyaune fell to 3-8.

The game was not particularly sloppy: Picayune had eight turnovers and Poplarville had six.

Picayune never got into a rhythm offensively and failed to get consistent, clean looks at the basket. Conversely, Poplarville pushed the tempo up the court, moved the ball efficiently and shot the ball well.

Led  by point guard Dekevian Coleman’s 25 points, the Hornets had three players score in double figures: guard Zack Taylor had 12 and guard Tamiljah Merrill added 10 points in addition to Coleman’s contribution. Center Craig Barnes had nine points and seven rebounds on the night.

Coleman and his team were fired up coming into the game.

“We knew it was a big rivalry game, we really wanted to get the win. We’ve been talking about it for a long time now, before the season even started and I knew we just had to come out and get the win. So I just wanted to step up for the team and knock down some shots,” Coleman said.

At the half, Poplarville led 21-13, but in the third quarter, they pulled away, outscoring Picayune 24-15. Head Coach Chareck Cable liked the way his guys went out and took care of business.

“They stepped up and played well in this rivlary game. We have to keep emotions under control, but you know Dekevian played really well. I liked it, the fight was good,” Cable said.

“We do have to do a better job of getting Craig more involved though.”

Poplarville goes on the road tonight to face North Pike High School (3-2).