Note: Check Schedule/Results (left column) for each team for archived game report.

For archived broadcasts (courtesy of WRJW 1320AM) check out www.ihigh.com (Click Here)

Wednesday 02/25/04

Biloxi  72   Picayune 40

Picayune ran into a solid basketball team at the Biloxi Sports Complex as they took on the Division 8-5A Champion

Biloxi Indians (20-6) in the first round of the South State playoff action.  On the night, the Tide committed 17 turnovers

and could never get untracked against the Indians in the Tide's first ever game at Biloxi's new facility.

The Tide suffered seven turnovers and combined with the near perfect shooting of the Indians, put the Tide in an

early hole as Biloxi jumped out to a 22-8 first quarter lead. The Tide faired no better during the second quarter

committing five turnovers and trailed 37-21 at the half. 

In the third quarter, the Tide put together a rally and cut the lead to ten points midway through the period, but Biloxi

survived the Tide spurt and held a 49-35 advantage after three stanzas.  The fourth quarter was all Biloxi as they

outscored the Tide 21-7 to claim the 70-42 win and a berth in the South State tournament at Moss Point against

Ocean Springs on Friday night.

Mark Dragon led the Tide with 11 points, all coming in the second half.  Jarvis Dantzler had a solid effort for the Tide

with 10 points and 5 rebounds.  Donairies Hair added 10 points.  Senior Radale Brumfield was held to 5 points in his

last game for the Maroon Tide.

Germaine Parker led Biloxi with 20 points and J'Varis Nunn finished with 18 points.  DeCarlos Riley scored 13 points

including three 3 pointers in the first half.

The Tide finishes with a 21-11 overall record and will graduate only three seniors (Radale Brumfield, Jay Williams,

Brandon Brown).   The Maroon Tide will return a strong nucleus that will position them to be a top contender next

year in Class 5A basketball.  The ability of the Tide to advance this far was a surprise to many and a tribute to the

coaching and leadership of Head Coach Dean Shaw and assistant Dennis Peterson.

Monday 02/24/04

Girls: Gulfport 64  Picayune 59

The Lady Tide's improbable run at the South State title came to an end at Kelly Wise Memorial Gymnasium on

Monday night as the Gulfport Lady Admirals rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Picayune 64-59. 

The game started just as the Lady Tide's upset of Hancock last  Friday as the Tide's Dedrea Magee scored

off the opening tip.  However, Gulfport took a 21-17 lead at the end of the first quarter behind the 3 point shooting

of Samantha Adam (2 treys) and play of Latoya Branch (7 points).  Breonne Spikes knocked down two 3 pointers

in the quarter for the Lady Tide. The Tide rallied in the second quarter outscoring the Lady Admirals 18-11 behind

the scoring of Dedrea Magee ( 8 points) and Jamelle Clark ( 6 points) to lead 35-32 at the break. 

The 3rd quarter saw the Lady Tide extend their lead to six points (48-42) heading into the final quarter.  However,

Gulfport outscored Picayune 8-1 in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter to take a 50-49 lead.  The Tide fought

back and led the game at 54-53 before Gulfport's Brittney Reese hit a 3 pointer to put her team up 56-54 with 5:17

to play.  Dedrea Magee brought Picayune to within one point at 58-57 with 2:42 left.   However, Magee fouled out

with 2:01 to play as she was called for a charging foul.  With the clock showing 1:11, Gail Weary put Gulfport up

60-57 as she drove to the goal and converted a lay up.  Down the stretch, the Lady Tide fouled the Lady Admirals

and put them on the free throw line.  The strategy appeared to work as Gulfport missed on to successive 1 and 1

attempts only to have the rebound bounce directly into the hands of a Lady Admiral.   With :38 to play, Weary

knocked down 2 free throws to put Gulfport up 62-57.  Latoya Branch added two insurance free throws in the

closing seconds to send Gulfport to the South State tournament at Hancock on Friday.

Dedrea Magee had 24 points and 10 rebounds and Jamelle Clark had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Lady Tide.

Breonne Spikes finished with 13 points. 

Latoya Branch led Gulfport with 20 points, Brittney Reese had 17 points, and Gail Weary added 16 points.

Despite the loss, Coach Dennis Peterson and Assistant Brian Dees are sure to be excited about the future as

they will have the entire starting line-up and their first reserve returning next season.