Thanks to a strong third quarter, the McComb High School boys’ basketball team won its home opener 69-63 against Natchez Friday night to remain undefeated.
The Tigers (4-0) trailed 32-30 at halftime. McComb outscored Natchez 20-11 in the third quarter to take a 50-43 lead going into the fourth.
“I thought it was a great test for our team tonight. We we’re challenged on both ends of the floor,” McComb head coach Hilton Harrell said. “Especially on defense they had a solid basketball team that matched up with us on the perimeter and interior. They shot as well as anybody is going to shoot, especially in the first half they shot about 70 percent. But I was proud of our guys, how they responded to what we designed at the half. We threw different defenses at them, which allowed us to get transition baskets.”
Antonio Cowart and Zarkechious Martin led the Tigers with 20 points each, Quardarius Green had 12 and TreDarius Lee had 11.
Malik Byrd led Natchez with 20 points, Charles Credit had 15 and Tyron Newman had 11.
McComb plays Amite County at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the South Pike tournament.
The Lady Tigers (2-2) lost at home Friday to Natchez 75-40.
Mylesha Hammond led McComb with 18 points, five assists and four steals, while Shayla Felder had 8 points, seven rebounds and one steal.
“Natchez has a very good team,” Lady Tigers head coach Charlton Grey said. “We missed easy opportunities and Natchez converted theirs. The Lady Tigers fought hard and will continue to improve.”
The Lady Tigers will play in the South Pike Thanksgiving tournament Monday and Tuesday. They are scheduled to face Amite County at 6 p.m. Monday and Bay Spring at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
North Pike splits at
Franklin County
The North Pike Lady Jaguars earned their first win of the season at Franklin County Friday night 44-36.
Rachel Thompson had a double-double for the Lady Jaguars (1-2) with 22 points and 17 rebounds.
North Pike and Franklin County will play in a rematch at 3 p.m. Monday in the South Pike Thanksgiving tournament.
The Jaguars (2-2) lost at Franklin County 52-49.
North Pike head coach Keith Russ said turnovers and untimely shots cost the Jaguars late in the fourth quarter.
“We made some mistakes down the stretch,” Russ said. “We led 45-42 with about a minute and 40 seconds to go in the game. We made some costly mistakes that hurt us at the end. We’re still learning how to finish games at the end.”
Jacob Deer had 11 points and five rebounds for the Jaguars; DeMario Wells had 3 points and six assists; LaTrevion Bankham had 11 points, 11 rebounds and four steals; and Javian Jackson had 21 points, nine rebounds and three steals.
“We played well,” Russ said. “Again, we’ve just got to learn how to finish games at the end. I was proud of the effort throughout the entire ballgame.”
North Pike and Franklin County will play in a rematch in the South Pike Thanksgiving tournament at 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Lady Trojans improve to 3-1
The Amite County High School girls’ basketball team defeated Wilkinson County at home Friday night 58-44.
The Lady Trojans (3-1) led 28-15 at halftime and maintained their advantage in the second half.
Destiny Williams led Amite County with 18 points and 14 rebounds, Fredereka Smith had 17 points, Deboney Wilson had 12 points and six steals and Ronika Pool had 6 points.
The Lady Trojans play McComb in the South Pike Thanksgiving tournament at 6 p.m. Monday. Amite County plays the host team South Pike in the tournament at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The Amite County boys (1-3) lost at home to Wilkinson County 52-39.
The Trojans trailed 21-11 at halftime.
Tyrese Hackett led Amite County with 15 points, while D’Kenyace Roberts had 8.
LaKendrick Washington led Wilkinson County (2-2) with 13 points.
The Trojans play McComb in the South Pike Thanksgiving tournament at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Amite County plays the host team South Pike in the tournament at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
