Picayune splits games with Columbia; Boys win; Girls lose

by Carey Meitzler

Picayune's basketball teams were both looking to avenge early season losses

to Columbia, but only the Maroon Tide

was able to get a win holding off the Wildcats 71-57, while the Lady Tide lost

to the Lady Wildcats 46-45 at Kelly Wise Memorial Gymnasium in Picayune. 

Maroon Tide 71  Columbia 57

Picayune avenged a season opening loss to the Wildcats by getting balanced

scoring in their 71-57 win.

The Maroon Tide had four players in double figures in moving their record to

13-2 overall.

Picayune's Alan Moran hit a 10 footer as he fell away from the basket at the

buzzer to give the Maroon Tide a 22-12 lead at

the end of the first quarter. The Maroon Tide's Chazz Hawkins nailed four

3 pointers in the first half, three coming in the second stanza as Picayune built

a 40-27 advantage.

Randy "Rooster" Perkins' layup gave Picayune an 18 point lead midway

through the third quarter, but Columbia chipped away at the lead and cut it

to 56-45 at the buzzer on a 3 pointer from Nick Magee.  Picayune would

lead by as many as 18 points in the 4th quarter.

Hawkins led the scoring for the Maroon Tide with 16 points, 14 in the first

half.  Darionne "Smooth" Jones added 15 points.

Perkins and Chris Griffith tallied 12 points each while Alan Moran had 9 points

and Brandon Fortenberry 7 for the Maroon Tide.

Columbia got 15 points from Rashaad Newton, 13 from Haji Cain, and 12 from

Kendrick Lumpkins.  Columbia, ranked 3rd in the latest statewide class 3A poll,

dropped to 15-2 on the season.

Picayune will be at home against Poplarville on Tuesday in division 8-4A action.

Columbia 46  Lady Tide 45

Columbia defeated the Lady Tide 46-45, giving the Lady Wildcats their second

win over Picayune this season. 

Picayune (14-2) got a great performance from senior center Jamelle Clark who

had 19 points and 13 rebounds

in a losing effort.

The game was tied 13-13 after one quarter and Picayune led 30-28 at the half

behind 15 points from Clark. 

Columbia led 38-37 after three quarters. 

Dedrea Magee scored six straight points for Picayune to take a 45-43 with 1:18

left in the game.  Columbia countered with running 8 foot jumper by Latessia Lee

to tie the game at 45-45 with :25 to play. After a Picayune timeout, Columbia's

Jeannie Creel stole the ball and raced down the court and was fouled.  She

converted one free throw with :03 left to give the Lady Wildcats the win.

Magee finished with 14 points and Breonne Spikes added 10 points. 

Columbia (15-2) got 17 points from Olivia Magee and Lee finished with 12 points.