Hornets hold off Maroon Tide 68-64

by Carey Meitzler

Poplarville 68 Maroon Tide 64  

After  falling behind early, Picayune rallied to within a basket with :02 left,

but Poplarville's Brandon Peters sank two free throws as the Hornets held

off Picayune 68-64 at Poplarville.  Picayune suffered through an uncharacteristic

night at the charity stripe missing 10 of 15 free throw attempts.

Poplarville came out red hot and claimed a 17-8 margin after one quarter

behind 7 points each from J.J. Richardson and Darius Hart.  The Hornets

held a 31-22 lead at the half.

In the first four minutes of the third quarter, Picayune had only a free throw

by Chris Griffith while Poplarville built a 17 point lead.

Peters made two free throws near the end of the quarter to give the Hornets

a 48-29 lead.

Poplarville (12-4, 4-4)  was leading 52-32 with 6:20 left in the game when

Picayune went on a 10-0 run to make if 52-42 with 4:57 left.  Picayune

would cut the lead to 53-47 on a Chazz Hawkins three pointer with 3:30

left.  The teams traded baskets until Brandon Fortenberry canned a three

pointer to make it 57-54 with 2:06 left.  Lasalle Henry scored on a lay up

for Poplarville and Peters followed with a short jumper to put the Hornets

up 61-54 with 1:35 to play. 

Hawkins made another long three pointer to make it 61-57.  Poplarville's

Ike Bowden made two free throws to give them a  63-57 advantage with

:54 left.  Fortenberry answered for Picayune with a lay up with :32 to play

to put the score at 63-59.  Hart would make one of two free throw attempts

with :30 left.

Chris Griffith, who had 16 second half points for Picayune, scored on a short

jumper on an assist from Fortenberry to make the score 64-61 with :20 left. 

Picayune fouled sending Richardson to the free throw line where he promptly

made both tosses with :10 left.

Trailing 66-61, Picayune's Darionne Jones launched a 28 footer that was good

for three points and made it 66-64. Picayune fouled Peters on the inbounds pass

and his ensuing free throws would secure the win for Poplarville.

Richardson led Poplarville with 19 points.  Peters and Hart finished with 14 points

each and Hart pulled down 17 rebounds.

Ike Bowden added 13 points for the Hornets.

Griffith finished with 20 points and 9 rebounds.  Chazz Hawkins added 10 points. 

Fortenberry and Randy Perkins each finished with 9 points. 

Picayune (18-4, 9-1) hosts Pearl River Central on Monday at Kelly Wise

Memorial Gymnasium in division 8-4A action.

Lady Tide 50  Poplarville 29

Dedrea Magee scored 22 points and Chanel Wills added 11 points and 6 rebounds

as Picayune rolled past Poplarvile 50-29.

Breonne Spikes had 8 points and Jamelle Clark added 7 points and 7 rebounds for

Picayune.

Picayune lead 35-9 at the half and 41-22 after three quarters.

Larke Nightengale led Poplarvile with 11 points.

Picayune (20-2, 9-0) will be at home on Tuesday hosting Pearl River Central in

division 8-4A action.