Maroon Tide runs by Pearl River Central 59-33

by Carey Meitzler

A full moon hung over Pearl River County on this Friday the 13th. 

A full house of around 550 fans were jammed into the Blue Devil gym

as rivals Picayune and Pearl River Central squared off in division 8-4A

basketball action.  The temperature outside was quite chilly, but the action

inside was anything but cold as Picayune swept both games to remain

unbeaten in division play.

Maroon Tide 59  Pearl River Central 33

Picayune and PRC traded baskets early in the game before the Maroon

Tide took control behind their full court pressure defense.   The Maroon

Tide led 12-9 after one quarter as PRC's Brandon Truman scored on a

short jumper at the buzzer. 

As the second quarter unfolded, Picayune responded by forcing numerous

Blue Devil turnovers with its pressure defense and went on a 8-0 run to lead

20-12 wtih 4:05 left in the half.

Picayune lead 24-14 at the half and opened the third quarter with 9-0 run

propelled by an Alan Moran three pointer, two Chazz Hawkins free throws,

a steal and coast to coast layup from Randy "Rooster" Perkins and a Hawkins

jumper to lead 33-14 and never looked back.  The Maroon Tide  built their

lead to 41-19  at the end of quarter. 

Picayune's, playing swarming defense from baseline to baseline as they have

all season long, used their press and points in transition off PRC turnovers to

pushed their record to 15-2 overall and 6-0 in division 8-4A. 

Alan Moran lead Picayune with 14 points including two long range 3 pointers. 

Chazz Hawkins pumped in 13 points and point guard Randy "Rooster" Perkins

darted his way through the Blue Devil defense with 12 points.   Darionne Jones

had 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots to go along with a dominating

effort  in the Maroon Tide pressure defense.  Chris Griffith had a couple of

timely baskets for 6 points to go with his 7 rebounds.

Tre' Pitts had 14 points and Brandon Truman added 10 points for PRC (13-8,1-4).

Picayune will host St. Stanislaus on Tuesday at Kelly Wise Memorial Gymnasium

with JV boys action at 6:00pm and varsity boys to follow around 7:00pm.

Lady Tide 68  Pearl River Central 37

Picayune (16-2, 6-0) jumped out to a 55-14 halftime advantage behind Dedrea

Magee's 25 point effort and coasted to the win by a score of 68-37. 

Picayune lead 25-7 after the first quarter which ended with a Breonne Spikes

3 pointer at the buzzer.

The Lady Tide lead 60-24 after three quarters.

Magee, who played sparingly in the second half, lead the way with 25 points. 

Jamelle Clark added 16 points and pulled down 13 caroms.  Spikes finished

with 9 points.

Brooke Eccles led PRC (9-9, 1-4) with 17 points.

The Lady Tide will play again next Friday at home against Long Beach. 

Picayune defeated Long Beach earlier this season 52-50 on a last second s

hot by Clark.