November 19, 2007

Maroon Tide Stings 'Stangs;

Lady Tide drops a close one to West Jones

by Carey Meitzler

The Picayune Maroon Tide opened their season about ten days after most everyone else in South Mississippi, but their tenacious

defense looked in mid-season form as they routed the West Jones Mustangs 89-31 at Kelly Wise Memorial Gymnasium.

Picayune raced to a 22-4 margin after the first quarter behind the Chris "Scooter" Dees three point play, a couple of treys from

David McClain, a dunk and a trey by Brandon Fortenberry, a lay up by Dees on an assist from Ben Daly, and Reshun Smith's lay up

and free throw, and a buzzer beater 3 pointer by Travis Aubin.  All of that while only allowing two 'Stang free throws and a short

jumper.

Reshun Smith dribbles in the front court against West Jones' Contrel Brown.

Aubin opened the second quarter with another 3 ball, then one by Dees, and a Smith lay up made it 29-4 with 6:31 left in the

second quarter.  Picayune led 44-18 at the half and 64-23 after three quarters.

Dees led the Maroon Tide with 19 points and 7 rebounds while Smith had 17 points. Jusint Smith tallied 14 points off the bench

and Fortenberry finished with 11 points.  Ben Daly pulled down 6 rebounds and blocked 2 shots providing a strong defensive

presence in the paint for the Maroon Tide.

Picayune (1-0) will play Northshore (Slidell, LA) on Tuesday at home.  There will be a JV Boys game at 5:00pm and

Varsity Boys at 7:30pm.

All photos by Carey Meitzler

David McClain (3) shoots a short jumper in the third quarter.

Lady Mustangs 40  Lady Tide 37

The much improved Lady Tide led 22-18 at the half, but was unable to hold off West Jones in dropping a 40-37 decision.

Monique Brown's jumper put Picayune up 25-20 with 5:51 left in the third quarter, but the Lady Mustangs went on a 10-0 run

sparked by Murphy Matthews' two 3 pointers to lead 30-25 with 3:05 left in the quarter.

The Lady Tide responded with an 8-0 run of their own to regain the lead. Brown scored on a short jumper, Karly Moran hit

two free throws, Brown scored on a layup off a steal, and scored again on a jumper from the paint to put Picayune up 33-30

with 1:02 left in the quarter. Anna Sumrall drained a 3 pointer at the buzzer to tie the game

.

Monique Brown (33) and her teammates look for a rebound in the fourth quarter.

Picayune scored the first four points in the final quarter on baskets by Brown and Jaenea Wills to lead 37-33 with 3:34 to play.

But West Jones got a three point play from Sheribra Pruitt and a short jumper from Matthews to lead 38-37 with 1:06 left.

The Lady Tide was forced to foul to send West Jones to the free throw line and by the time Picayune was whistled for the 4 fouls

needed to push them over the limit, only :09 remained on the clock. Matthews hit both free throws for a 40-37 lead.

Picayune moved the ball quickly up the court after the second made free throw and got off a shot by Hillary Dickens that was good

from behind the three point line, but time expired before the ball left her hands.

Brown led the Lady Tide with 18 points and Matthews tallied 20 points for West Jones (4-3).

Picayune (4-2) will be at home on Tuesday hosting Forrest County at 6:15pm with JV Boys scheduled before and

Varsity Boys after the Lady Tide game.

Hillary Dickens (45) looks to pass to Karly Moran (12) after she gets a pick

from Janea Wills (34) late in the game.