Picayune outlasts Mendenhall 58-54 in 2-OT
Alan Moran & Randy Perkins lead Tide to win
by Carey Meitzler
If you missed it, you'll probably heard about it around town because it was
one of the most thrilling games ever played at Kelly Wise Memorial
Gymnasium. The Maroon Tide played two extra periods of basketball
before finally subduing the Mendenhall Tigers 58-54 in double overtime
to advance to the second round of the Class 4A south tournament.
The pre-game analysis said these two teams were evenly matched and
as the night unfolded that fact echoed loud and clear. Picayune lead
10-6 at the end of the first quarter on a jumper from sophomore Brandon
Fortenberry with :05 left.
Mendenhall's Jason Tillman scored the first eight points of the second
quarter to push the Tigers to a 14-10 lead with 5:11 on the clock.
Picayune fought back to tie it at 22-22 with :02 to play when Randy
Perkins snapped a no look pass to fellow senior Chris Griffith for a lay up.
Griffith and Perkins each had six points in the first half for Picayune.
Alan Moran kept the Maroon Tide in the game in the third quarter as he
banged home two 3 pointers and added three consecutive free throws
with 3:32 left after being fouled while shooting a 3 pointer. With 1:59
to play in the quarter, Fortenberry scored on a layup on a pass from
Darionne Jones to put the Maroon Tide up 37-32, but Mendenhall's
James Walker hit a 3 pointer from the deepest part of the right corner
and then put back a miss by teammate Kentrell Cleveland with :50 left
to tie it at 37-37.
The Tigers opened the fourth quarter with consecutive baskets by Cleveland
to lead 41-37. Moran answered with another 3 pointer to make it 41-40.
Darionne Jones rebounded a missed Tiger shot, dribbled the length of the
court and found himself in mid air and wisely bounced the ball off the glass
to avoid a turnover, got the rebound, and eventually found Chazz Hawkins
open for a lay up to give the Maroon Tide a 42-41 lead with 3:40 left in
regulation. Picayune went on to build a 48-41 lead as Perkins scored on
three lay ups, the last coming with :58 to play.
Mendenhall's Jason Tillman hit a 3 pointer with :45 left to cut it to 48-44.
Perkins was fouled and made both ends of a one and one free throw
opportunity for a 50-44 lead. With :22 left, James Walker brought the
Tigers within 50-47 on a 3 pointer. Perkins was fouled again, but missed
the first free throw. Walker hit another 3 pointer with :08 left to tie the
game at 50-50. After two Picayune time outs, Perkins drove to the left
baseline and appeared to be fouled again as his shot at the buzzer was
off the mark.
In the first overtime, Bertrell Easterling, seeing his first action of the game
for Mendenhall, scored to put them up 52-50, but Perkins would tie it on
a drive to basket, converting a tough shot to tie the game with 1:10 left.
Picayune got the ball back when Perkins slapped the ball loose from the
Tigers Gerald Bass with :33 left. Moran attempted a 3 pointer at the buzzer,
but the shot was blocked by Mendenhall.
Mendenhall scored first in the second overtime to lead 54-52. Perkins was
fouled with 1:57 left, made the first free throw, but missed the second.
Darionne Jones grabbed the rebound, one of his 10 on the night, spinned
to his right and scored to put Picayune up 55-54. Mendenhall then miss
a 3 point attempt and would foul Perkins sending him to the free throw line
with 1:23 left. Perkins made the first free throw for a 56-54 advantage, but
missed the second attempt. Mendenhall missed on the other end and
Picayune's Griffith tipped the rebound to Darionne Jones and he gave it
to Perkins. Perkins was fouled with :30 left and calmly sank both free
throws to make it 58-54.
Coach Dean Shaw, fighting a virus for the past few days, was exhausted
and elated at the effort of his team.
"I'm just so thankful we were able to pull this game out for our kids, our
fans, and our community."
Shaw was well aware of the challenge Mendenhall's 3 point shooting would
bring to his team.
"We told our guys that if we won or lost the game, Mendenhall would have
to do it from 25 feet from the basket and we didn't want to let them do that,
but they almost did."
Shaw was very happy for this group of seniors last game at Kelly Wise.
"Before the season, we told them that we had a chance to have a special
basketball team and have some special moments and memories and this is
one of them. I am very proud of them all and this is one they'll never forget."
Perkins led Picayune (24-5) with 20 points and Moran tallied 15 including
four 3 pointers. Chris Griffith finished with 8 points and 6 rebounds.
Chazz Hawkins had 7 points and Darionne Jones finished with 4 points and
pulled down 10 rebounds.
James Walker paced Mendenhall (26-6) with 18 points including four
3 pointers. Tillman added 11 points with three 3 pointers.
Picayune will play Wayne County on Thursday at 4:00pm at McComb