Tide Sinks Pirates again to claim Region 8-4A Championship

by Carey Meitzler

After beating Long Beach on Thursday night for the third time this season, Picayune took aim on doing the same to Pass Christian

on Friday in the Region 8-4A Championship game.  Behind clutch free throw shooting and tenacious defense, the Maroon Tide

prevailed with a 47-40 win at Pass Christian.

Picayune got off to a good start and led 12-8 at the end of the first quarter behind four points from David McClain and a bucket

each from Wayne Mickel, Brandon Fortenberry, Ben Daly, and Chris Dees.  Pass Christian's Willis Brownlee scored all 8 of

the Pirates points.

 Wayne Mickel looks inside to Chris Dees (15).             Dees shoots over Willis Brownlee (50).

To start the second quarter, Pass Christian got a three pointer from Armond Porter and a lay up from Brownlee to take

a 13-12 lead.  After a Picayune time out, Fortenberry regained the lead with a put back of a missed shot and Dees scored

on an assist from Daly to put the Tide up 16-13.  Fortenberry was fouled driving in the lane and converted one of two free

throws for a 17-13 lead . The Pirates got two free throws from Keith Crawford to cut the lead to two points, but David

McClain drained a three pointer with 2:30 left to put the Tide up 20-15.  Mickel then scored on a running jumper off the

glass with 1:32 left to make it 22-15.  Brownlee scored on a short jumper with :11 left to make it 22-17 at the half.

Brandon Fortenberry (4) goes up for a lay up & 2 points. Chris Dees (15) kisses one off the glass for two points.

Late in the third quarter, the Pirates came to within 28-25 on a three pointer from Shane Bowser with 2:33 left.  Fortenberry

was fouled on consecutive Maroon Tide possessions and calmly sank all four free throws for a 32-25 lead with 1:25 left.  

Justin Smith, who had four crucial points the night before, stole the ball from Bowser and went coast-to-coast for a lay up

to give Picayune a 34-25 advantage with just under a minute to play. The Pirates' Aaron Saucier closed out the third quarter

making one of two free throws.

Chris Dees (15) grabs a pass against the Pirates.                Coach Kennedy reminds the Tide to look for help.

Brownlee scored to open the fourth quarter and Blake Evans made two free throws to cut it to 34-30 with 7:11 left. 

Wayne Mickel was fouled and missed both free throws, however, Ben Daly snatched the rebound of the second shot

and Picayune used the new possession to set up a lay up by Fortenberry for a 36-30 lead with 5:20 left.  Then on the

other end, Daly drew a charge to get the ball back for Picayune.  After the Maroon Tide missed a lay up, the Pirates'

Armond Porter was fouled and made the second of two free throw attempts to make it 36-31 with 4:48 left in the game. 

Porter scored just moments later after a Pass steal, and with 4:04 left, Evans scored on a lay up and was fouled and

made the free throw to tie the game at 36-36.

Ben Daly (44) gets a pick from Ben Daly (44) in the fourth quarter.

Wayne Mickel committed his fifth foul with 2:10 left and Bowser made one of two free throws to give Pass the

lead at 37-36. Fortenberry regain the lead for Picayune by making two free throws with 1:50 left.   Pass quickly

moved the ball down the court and got the ball to Brownlee who was called for a charging foul as he bulled over

Ben Daly with 1:40 left.  After a Pass time out, Fortenberry was fouled and sank two more free throws for a 40-37

lead with 1:21 left.  Porter scored with 1:06 left to cut it to 40-39.  ReShun Smith, who had replaced Mickel, was

fouled in the back court, and calmly made both free throws with 1:02 left.  With :46 left, Evans made one of two

free throws to make it 42-40.   David McClain made the second of two free throws with :31 left.  Pass was unable

to score, and fouled Fortenberry who drained both free throws with :10 left  for a 45-40 lead. ReShun Smith finished

the scoring with :03 left as he calmly sank two free throws.

Chris Dees (15) looks ready to play against Pass Christian's Aaron Saucier.

Fortenberry tallied 19 points and Dees had 8 points and 10 rebounds.  McClain added 8 points with 7 coming in the

first half.

Brownlee, who had 12 points in the first half, finished with 14 points and Armond Porter added 10 points.

Picayune (26-5) will host West Jones on Tuesday while Pass Christian (26-5) will be home against Northeast Jones.