Lady Devils, Maroon Tide fall
Published 3:57 am Saturday, January 12, 2013
The Pearl River Central girls had a chance to take over sole possession of first place in Region 7-5A Friday night, but came up just short.
West Harrison’s Kim Calhoun sank a last second basket to give the homestanding Lady ‘Canes an exciting 55-53 win over the Lady Devils. The WHHS girls are now 2-0 in league play, and PRC is 1-1.
Jessica Powers tallied a game high 21 points for the Lady Devils, and Caroline Lumpkin added 14 points. Brandi Lee scored eight points in the first half as PRC took a 28-27 lead at halftime.
The PRC boys faced the Hurricanes in the late game.
Also, St. Stanislaus and Picayune played their second close game of the year Friday night. This time, though, the Rock-A-Chaws pulled out a two point win, as homestanding SSC came away with a 54-52 win at Brother Peter Memorial Gym.
The loss ended a six game win streak for the Maroon Tide. Picayune beat the Rocks 66-64 last month at home. Picayune stands 14-4 on the year.
Thanks to some sharp shooting by Shemar Williams and some strong play in the paint by Sullivan Bell, the Maroon Tide took a 27-26 halftime lead as Williams tallied 12 points in the first half and Bell added 10.
Picayune led by two, 38-36, at the end of the third period, but the Rocks began the final frame with an 18-5 run that resulted in a 54-43 lead with three minutes to play.
Picayune battled back, as Donovan Rice converted an old fashioned three point play and added another basket as well and Eric Peyton swiped a pair of steals and turned both into lay-ups to make it 54-52 but that would be the final count.
Bell tallied a season high 17 to pace Picayune and added 11 rebounds, while Williams was held to just three points in the second half and finished with 15 points which is seven below his average. Peyton chipped in 10 points.
Both Picayune teams host West Harrison Tuesday, while Poplarville travels to St. Stanislaus.
The Hornets beat Lumberton on the road Thursday night 74-51. Rojae Raine tallied a game high 25 points to pace Poplarville, while Nigel Wood added 14 points and Alex travis chipped in 10 points to the winning cause.
Both Poplarville teams hosted Forrest County AHS in Region 8-4A action Friday night.