February 22, 2008

Fortenberry paces Maroon Tide over Blue Waves 61-49

by Carey "Time Out" Meitzler

Senior Brandon Fortenberry poured in 34 points as Picayune defeated Port Gibson 61-49 in the South State Class 4A

tournament. The win puts Picayune into the Championship game on Saturday against St Stanislaus, who defeated Moss

Point 42-41 in the other semi-final game at Picayune's Kelly Wise Memorial Gymnasium.  Both Picayune and St Stanislaus

will advance to play in Jackson by virtue of their wins.

With 3:09 left in the first quarter, Port Gibson tied the game at 9-9 on Kadeem Fleming's jumper. Picayune responded with

an 11-0 run to close out the quarter.  David McClain hit a short jumper and Chris Dees stroked a three pointer for a 14-9 lead. 

Port Gibson called a time out hoping to break the Tide's momentum, but after a discussion with Head Coach Daniel Kennedy, 

the Tide continued their onslaught.  Reshun Smith tip a Blue Waves' pass to Travis Aubin who pushed the ball ahead to Fortenberry

for a slam dunk.  After a Port Gibson miss, Smith hit a three pointer with :09 left.  Fortenberry closed the quarter making one

of two free throws with :01 left for a 20-9 lead.

With 6:55 left in the second quarter, Fortenberry scored on a lay up, was fouled, and converted the free throw for a 23-9 lead. 

Picayune led 25-14 on Justin Smith's lay up on an assist from Fortenberry.  Picayune led 33-27 at the half.

Port Gibson's Kadeem Fleming hit a three pointer early in the third quarter to cut it to 33-30, but Fortenberry hit two free throws

and Chris Dees had a slam dunk off an assist from Reshun Smith.  Fleming hit another three pointer to make it 37-33, but the

Blue Waves could get no closer.  Dees scored on an assist from Fortenberry and Fortenberry hit another three pointer for

a 42-33 lead with 3:47 left in the quarter.  Picayune led 45-37 at the end of the third quarter.

Fortenberry hit a three pointer to open the fourth quarter and then hit two of four free throws via two technicals on Port Gibson.

Picayune, now 31-4 on the season, led by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Fortenberry had 6 rebounds and 5 assists to go with his 34 points. Dees finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds while Reshun

Smith and Justin Smith had 8 and 7 points respectively.

Fleming had 15 points and Jammie Washington had 10 points for Port Gibson (19-13).  The Blue Waves will play Moss Point

at 6:00pm for third place and a berth in the State Tournament in Jackson.