February 14, 2008

Picayune holds off Bay High 50-47

by Carey Meitzler

Picayune advanced to the Region 8-4A Championship game by holding off a gritty Bay High Tiger team 50-47 in the semi-finals

of the Region 8-4A tournament at Pearl River Central High School in Carriere.

Picayune trailed 12-10 when Chris Dees tied the game on a jumper off the glass from five feet away with :36 left in the first

quarter.  Dees then converted a three point off a lay up with :18 left to give the Maroon Tide a 15-12 lead.

The Maroon Tide led 27-18 at the half despite playing without Brandon Fortenberry most of the time due to three early personal

fouls.  Picayune lead 31-21 with 5:15 left in the third quarter when Fortenberry collected his fourth foul and was removed from

the game.  Reshun Smith hit a three pointer for a 34-21 lead with 4:10 left.  Bay High responded with an 10-0 run to make it

34-31 with 1:49 left.  Smith hit another trey for a 37-31 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Bay High cut the lead to 41-38 with 5:31 left in the game, but Smith hit his third three pointer for a 44-38 lead with 5:01 left.

After a Tiger basket, David McClain hit a three pointer with 2:22 left for a 47-40 lead.  Chris Dees made two free throws

with :32 left.  Bay High's Dimitri Johnson scored on a lay up with :25 left to make it 49-44.  

Travis Aubin hit one of two free throws with :22 left.   Daron Bell hit a three pointer with :13 left to make it 50-47.   McClain

went to the line with :10 left and missed both free throws allowing Bay High a chance to tie the game, but the three point shot

was short and Picayune held on for the win.

Dees had 17 points and 11 rebounds while McClain had 11 poinrt for Picayune (27-4).

Daron Bell had 15 points and Johnson added 12 points for Bay High (17-15).

David McClain (on the floor) wrestles for a loose ball with Chaquille Lewis (12).