The South Pike Eagles lost their first game of the season Tuesday night, falling to Brookhaven at home 70-65.
South Pike trailed by 11 points after the first quarter and despite playing a competitive final three quarters was unable to climb out of the early hole it dug itself.
“We started off slow, but as the game went on we picked it up offensively and defensively,” South Pike head coach Joe Taylor said.
Senior Desmond Cook, South Pike’s leading scorer, headed the Eagles’ attack with 25 points including seven three pointers.
As a team, the Eagles knocked down nine buckets from long range, helping to keep them within striking distance of the Panthers.
South Pike’s Jamorris Shaw contributed 16 points of his own in the losing effort, as well as two blocks and three steals.
Forward Dorean Hill grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
The Eagles committed 20 turnovers, and Taylor said the sloppy play will have to be fixed as the season continues.
“This was another good test for us,” South Pike head coach Joe Taylor said. “Though the outcome of the game was not what we wanted, I am very proud of the way the guys played. We played a lot better than we did in the Wilkinson County game.”
South Pike will travel to Natchez Friday night to take on the Natchez High School Bulldogs. The game will tip at 5 p.m.
Lady eagles remain unbeaten
The South Pike Lady Eagles remain unbeaten in 2013 following a 57-38 victory over Brookhaven Tuesday night.
The Lady Eagles were led by freshman Destiny Gordon, who scored a game-high 16 points in the win. Nakaylis Washington added nine points and Kaletron Baker scored eight points in a winning effort.
