January 18, 2007

Maroon Tide rolls past Long Beach 75-54

Lady Tide falls 45-40

by Carey Meitzler

The Maroon Tide rolled past Long Beach to remain unbeaten in Region 8-4A and clinched at least a South State playoff berth with

a 75-54 win at Kelly Wise Memorial Gymnasium.

Picayune jumped to a 14-9 lead in the first quarter and ballooned the margin to 38-20 at the half.  The score was 57-36 after three

quarters.

Chris Dees score 18 points and pulled down 5 rebounds for Picayune (19-2, 9-0).  Justin Smith added 13 points and 4 rebounds.

Brandon Fortenberry had 10, Reshun Smith had 9, and David McClain had 8 points.

Long Beach (14-8, 5-3) got 12 points from Desmond Coleman and Jordan Evans added 10 points.

Brandon Fortenberry pushes up a jumper from behind the three point line.

Alvin Richard (22) shoots from the left corner for the Maroon Tide.

Long Beach 45   Lady Tide 40

On the heels of losing Janea Wills for the season due to a knee injury, the Lady Tide missed her steady

play and Picayune dropped a 45-40 decision to Long Beach.

Picayune led 22-20 at the half, but the Lady Bearcats took a 35-32 lead after three quarters.  Picayune did not score

in the fourth quarter until 3:07 left when Autumn Jackson's put back of a missed shot made it 39-34.  The Lady Tide

cut the lead to 43-40 on Monique Brown's put back with :08 left, but Aimee Batol hit both free throws to seal the win

for Long Beach (15-5, 4-2).

Brown paced Picayune (11-9, 2-5) with 19 points. Delaina Lyons and Kelli Williams each had 12 points for Long Beach.

Picayune hosts Bay High on Tuesday at Kelly Wise.

Monique Brown (left) attempts to pass the ball to Karly Moran (right).