Picayune qualified for the overall state basketball tournament for the third straight year with a 52-45 win over Laurel in the Class 4A South State Tournament Friday night.

The Maroon Tide met St. Stanislaus in the finals on Saturday night.

Picayune will play Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., in the Mississippi Coliseum in jackson if it lost Saturday night to SSC. But, a third straight South State title will move Picayune into semifinal play Saturday night at 8 p.m.

Chris Dees scored 18 and Brandon Fortenberry 14 in Friday’s win to pace Picayune.