No inside game? No problem for the McComb Tigers.
With senior post player LaDarius White in the crowd Friday night, McComb took to the perimeter and routed the host North Pike Jaguars 84-49 at the North Pike gym.
The Tigers (8-3) played without White, an Ole Miss signee who has been suspended for four games for violating team rules.
In White’s absence, McComb took its game to the perimeter. The Tigers drained 12 3-pointers enroute to the easy win.
North Pike (5-6) lost its fourth consecutive game.
“We knew (North Pike) would play a 3-2 zone against us,” McComb head coach Hilton Harrell said. “We spread the court and got some open shots. We exploited our strengths tonight.”
The Tigers’ perimeter attack was led by senior guard Zarius Lacking and senior forward Kenyon Tobias. After being held scoreless in the first half, Tobias’ trio of three came in a span of about two minutes. His first trey came in the closing moments of the third period as McComb expanded its lead to 63-31.
He added his second 3-pointer in the openings seconds of the fourth quarter, then added his final three from the left corner to stretch the Tigers’ advantage to 69-38. Tobias finished with 13 points.
The Tigers’ long-range shooting was sparked by Antonio Johnson, who was moved from point guard to shooting guard. Johnson scored eight points, including a pair of first-half 3-pointers. But his presence as the No. 2 guard drew double teams and left his teammates open for easy baskets.
Senior guard Trevosity Ellzey benefitted the most from the move. Ellzey led all scorers with 18 points, including 14 in the first half. His second of two 3-pointers came from the right wing and gave McComb a 12-3 first-quarter lead.
“They outplayed us,” North Pike head coach Keith Russ said. “We did not execute and we did not defend. They shot the ball well.”
North Pike senior guard LeMicheal Quin tried to keep the Jaguars close. He scored nine of his team-high 14 points in the first half, including a 3-pointer from the right corner, followed by a 12-footer from the right baseline that pulled North Pike to within 36-21 with 1:31 before halftime.
McComb led 40-23 at intermission. North Pike never got closer.
The Tigers opened the second half on a 12-3 run that included a 3-pointer from Lacking that pushed McComb’s lead to 45-24. Lacking finished with 11 points. McComb led 63-31 after the third quarter.
Both teams will compete in the three-day McComb Holiday Tournament beginning Monday at the McComb gym.
North Pike will battle Moss Point at 4:30 in the first round, while McComb will host Wilkinson County at 7:30 p.m.
