Picayune wrapped up the regular season Region 8-4A title and with it a berth in the Class 4A South State playoffs Friday night with a Region 8-4A win over visiting Long Beach.

The Maroon Tide stopped the Bearcats 75-54, as Picayune remained perfect in league play at 9-0 and moved to an impressive 19-3 overall.

The Maroon Tide moved out to a quick lead in the first quarter and then took command in the second quarter leading, 38-20 at halftime.

Chris Dees scored 18 points to pace Picayune while Justin Smith added 13 points. Brandon Fortenberry chipped in 10 points, Reshun Smith nine and David McClain eight points to the winning cause for the seventh ranked Maroon Tide.

Long Beach fell to 14-8 overall and 5-3 in league play.

The win gave Picayune a regular season sweep over the Bearcats and put Picayune three games ahead of both Long Beach and St. Stanislaus in the league race. The Maroon Tide have just three division games left.

The Maroon Tide completed a sweep of the Rockachaws earlier in the week.

Earning the top seed means that Picayune gets a first round bye in the upcoming league tournament and automatically advances to the semifinals of the event. Four teams from the region qualify for the state playoffs.

The Lady Tide dropped their second straight Region 8-4A game, falling to the Lady Bearcats 45-40.

Picayune’s girls got 19 points from Monique Brown. The Lady Tide dropped to 11-9 overall and 2-5 in league play.

Long Beach is 4-2 in league play and 15-5 overall.

Both Picayune squads remain at home on Tuesday as they host region foe Bay High.