It’s early in the season, but Pearl River Central took a step into first place in Division 8-4A Friday by opening league play with an exciting 51-48 win over homestanding Poplarville.

The Blue Devils moved to 5-5 overall, and 1-0 in the league while Poplarville fell to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the league.

Brandon Truman scored a game high 18 for PRC, while Bradlee Baker added 15 for the winners.

Ike Bowden was the lone Hornet in double digits with 14.

PRC hosts St. John in a non-division game on Tuesday while Poplarville travels to Long Beach for a league game on the same night.

Picayune falls to SSC

Picayune fell 53-44 to unbeaten St. Stanislaus at home Friday night to open Division 8-4A play.

St Stanislaus is 10-0 overall and 1-0 in the league, while Picayune falls to 7-2 overall and 0-1 in the loop.

The Rockachaws were led by Daniel Grieves,a transfer from Gulfport, with 12 points while Pedro Maciel had 11 points and 7 assists and Thomas Camargo added 11 points.

Picayune was paced by Wayne Mickel with 16 points while Chris Dees added 12 points, and David McClain added 9 points.

Picayune’s boys and girls played at Lumberton Saturday night in non-division action and the Tide teams will travel to Pass Christian for league games on Tuesday.

PRCC splits pair

FULTON — Pearl River’s Wildcats handed 10th-ranked Itawamba its first loss of the season earlier in the week with a 73-66 road win, while the Lady Wildcats fell 83-65 to wrap up their pre-Christmas holiday portion of their schedule.

Wesley Jones paced PRCC, now 6-4, with a game-high 30 points and nine rebounds while Abram Robins added 11

Calla Daggons paced the PRCC women with 12 points, while Lauren Morrow and Sherrion Thomas added 10 each.

After a Christmas holiday break, Pearl River returns to action Thursday, Jan. 4, with a road trip to Mississippi Delta in Moorhead; then returns home Monday, Jan. 8, to open its MACJC South Division slate against Copiah-Lincoln in Shivers Gym. Tip offs for the division openers are 5 p.m. (women) and 7 p.m. (men).