February 2, 2008

New Hope 81  Picayune 62  (at NW Rankin Classic)

by Carey Meitzler

New Hope opened as the pre-season favorite in Class 4A according to The Clarion Ledger newspaper. After

suffering through some injuries and a tough out of state schedule, the Trojans seem to be a favorite to be in Jackson

in March as was evident in their 81-62 win over Picayune at NW Rankin Classic.

New Hope lost to Forest Hill in the first game of the season and that's when the Trojans were without Dandy Dozen

6-9 senior center Rashanti Harris because of a broken hand. New Hope's other six losses have been to out-of-state

schools and all of them are ranked in their respective states except one and Antioch is receiving votes in Class AAA

in Tennessee.

The Trojans (20-7) other losses have been to Booker T. Washington, which is ranked No. 1 in Class AA in

Tennessee, Putnam City, which is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A in Oklahoma, Helen Cox, which is ranked No. 2 in

Class 4A in Louisiana, Kinston, which is ranked No. 4 in Class 3A in North Carolina, and Scott County, which is

ranked No. 4 in Kentucky by the (Louisville) Courier-Journal Hoops Litkenhous Ratings.

Picayune trailed just 25-23 after the first quarter, but New Hope built a 49-36 halftime lead.  The score was 63-44

after three quarters.

The Trojans' Dandy Dozen duo of Rashanti Harris and Dale Hughes had 36 and 29 points respectively. Brandon

Fortenberry had 24 points and David McClain added 10 points for Picayune (24-4).