McComb’s basketball team has quietly posted a 13-3 record through its slate of non-conference games.
The Tigers finally have a chance to make some noise tonight when they open up Region 6-5A at home against Pearl.
McComb is the only squad in the four-team league to have yet to play a district game. Pearl (10-7) has already won against Wingfield and Brookhaven.
After wrapping up its own Holiday tournament with a trio of wins, McComb takes a six-game win streak into tonight’s game. The Tigers’ last loss came to Murrah back on Dec. 4.
“We seem to finally be getting that much needed chemistry,” McComb coach Hilton Harrell said following the tournament. “So pleased to see the consistent play and the camaraderie between the guys. That is how it is supposed to be.”
McComb is led by its trio of Antonio Johnson (14.9 points per game), Stacey Mack (11.8 ppg) and freshman Antonio Cowart (10.8 ppg).
On the girls’ side, McComb hopes to snap a two-game skid in its district opener against Pearl tonight. The Lady Tigers opened the season 11-3, but dropped a pair of games to Amite County and North Pike during the McComb Holiday Tournament.
Led by a core group of seniors, McComb is nearly at its 2011-12 win total of 12.
District play also beings in Class 4A for South Pike and North Pike tonight. North Pike hosts Tylertown with the girls game tipping off at 6, followed by the boys at 7:30.
The marquee game will showcase Tylertown forward Xavion Dillon, who is averaging 20.3 points per game this season.
North Pike (7-5) has resembled a quality team in spurts this season, but has yet to put in a complete effort.
Xavius Turner poured in a season-high 37 points in a Dec. 27 win over Brookhaven, which was North Pike’s second victory over the Panthers on the season.
Elsewhere, South Pike’s girls team takes its 12-5 record to Purvis tonight. The Lady Eagles have the best record among teams in Region 7-4A and have won six straight games.
The Eagles limp into district play with a 4-11 record, but still have a chance to make a run at the district title. South Pike finished runner-up to Columbia in 2012 with a 21-8 record.
