February 21, 2008

Picayune pulls away from McComb

by Carey "Carom" Meitzler

Picayune--Picayune got a outstanding defensive effort from seniors Justin Smith and Ben Daly while fellow senior Brandon

Fortenberry poured in 25 points as the Maroon Tide pulled away from McComb 53-40 at Kelly Wise Memorial Gymnasium.

Leading 10-6 in the first quarter, Picayune got two free throws from Ben Daly with :29 left and a layup from Reshun Smith as

time expired to lead 14-6.

Picayune built a 21-12 on Chris Dees' three pointer with 3:10 left, but McComb responded with a 6-0 run on two baskets by

Kiam Brown and a putback by Mitchell Thompson with 1:06 left.  After a Picayune timeout, Chris Dees was called for his third

foul and went to the bench.  Justin Smith scored on a lay up on an assist from Reshun Smith and was fouled.  Smith converted

the free throw with :11 left.   McComb scored at the buzzer on a lay up by Tim Martin to cut it to 24-20.

David McClain (left) flips a pass over McComb's Tim Martin on an inbounds play.

Picayune built a 32-23 lead on another basket by Justin Smith.  But McComb would finish the quarter with an 11-2 run to

cut it to 34-32 on a layup by Magee.

Daly and Smith took control as they swatted away passes to teammates, made steals themselves, and snatched rebounds on

McComb missed shots and were able to keep the Tigers in check.   On offense, Fortenberry and Smith scored on short

jumpers and Fortenberry hit two free throws for a 40-32 lead with 4:50 left.  Reshun Smith nailed a three pointer with 4:27

left and Fortenberry scored on a layup to make it 45-32 with 2:45 left.  With 2:37 left in the quarter, Gredarrisu Erving hit

a three pointer to break the drought, but Fortenberry hit six for six on free throws down the stretch and Picayune hung on

for the win.

Fortenberry had 18 of his game high 25 points in the second half.  Justin Smith finished with 9 points and 3 steals. 

Travis Aubin had 7 points and 4 steals.

Kiam Magee paced McComb with 12 points and Erving added 10 points.  Kendell Thompson, the Tigers 6-7 center, was

unable to score against Smith and Daly in second half and finished with 6 points.

Picayune (30-4) will play Port Gibson on Friday at 7:30pm.

McComb finishes the season at 26-6.