Palubinskas re-energizing Central Private basketball

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas

With less than two weeks until district tournament action begins no other team has created more conversation than the Central Private Rebels. Sporting a 23-2 season record and ranked #1 in Class AA the Rebels have reminded many die hard Central Private fans of years gone by with an up tempo, high scoring brand of basketball that helped Rebel teams win four straight state championships from 1999-2002.
The 2010-11 version are the favorites to win the school’s fifth state title and serious challengers for an Overall crown next month.
When the topic of Central Private arises throughout many MAIS basketball venues the tone varies from skepticism to a tempered hostility. For those who have only heard accounts of the talent that has been assembled in Central a skeptic tone arises with doubts that they are truly as advertised. Others who have attended a Central Private game, or competed against the top ranked team in Class AA, sometimes exude an attitude towards them like a new neighbor that may have a nicer home and car.
Central Private head coach Ed Palubinskas is back for a third stint after previously coaching at the school in the 70’s and 90’s and he makes no apologies about his vision for reinvigorating the once dominant program. For those who have only had a brief encounter with Palubinskas it can be a bag of mixed emotions trying to size up the former LSU Tiger and two time Australian Olympic team member. Some see arrogance and others encounter a sometimes undetectable sense of humor but after talking with him for 30 minutes to an hour about basketball or life, one leaves with a deeper understanding of his background and his gift in the area of reaching kids and furthering their development on and off the court.
I was elated recently when I received an email response from one of my childhood heroes. I took a shot at emailing former LSU head basketball coach Dale Brown about Ed Palubinskas not expecting a response. The next day the reply was in my inbox.
“Darron, Eddie Palubinskas is highly intellectual, extremely competitive, confident, superb teacher, creative, hard working, honest, a winner, and effervescent to the point he can be easily misunderstood as a know it all. If I was going into combat or competition of any kind I would want him on my team. He is strong willed and when he gets knocked down you can rest assured he will be back on his feet because of his grit,” said Brown.
Palubinskas pours excitement when discussing this year’s Central Private squad but he is equally excited about next season and the opportunity to be even better.
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Talkin Basketball with Ed Palubinskas

Smith inks with Hinds Community CollegeHillcrest senior Justin Smith has signed a baseball scholarship with Hinds Community College.
Seating (left to right) Ben Smith, Justin Smith, Kim Smith
Standing (left to right) Sam Temple, (HCC) Shane Kelly( Hillcrest), Dan Rives,( HCC)

Columbia sweeps Simpson
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The 3rd ranked Columbia Cougars rolled into Mendenhall last night and left with a 68-31 pounding of 5th ranked Simpson. Columbia jumped out to an early 12-3 lead halfway through the opening quarter and never looked back as senior Tanner Pace led the Cougars with a game high 19 points.

(Above) Josh Hankins of Simpson gets a shot off over Columbia's Christian Robbins (#0)
Taylor Fortenberry put Columbia up with two quick baskets less than one minute into the game but Simpson’s Cory Herrington answered with a 3-pointer from the wing in what would prove to be a fast paced first quarter. Herrington’s basket would be as close as Simpson would get on the night as Columbia’s defensive pressure and hot shooting from the perimeter stifled the home-standing Cougars throughout.

(Above) Columbia's Taylor Fortenberry drives for 2 of his 8 points on the night
Four of five Columbia starters hit buckets in what would be a 20-11 first quarter. Christian Robbins’ offensive rebound and put back at the 2:33 mark of the second quarter gave Columbia their biggest lead of the half at 29-15.
Columbia erupted in the third quarter as seniors Tanner Pace (right) and Christian Robbins combined for 16 points and the Cougars outscored Simpson 21-6 to take a commanding 53-25 advantage into the final quarter.
Columbia bested Simpson 15-6 in the fourth quarter to take a 68-31 win and improve to 18-4 on the season.
Pace led all scorers with 19 points, Robbins added 12, Cole Oglesbee had 11, Taylor Fortenberry 8, Brooks Robinson 7, Brandon Bell 4, Alex Price 3 and Jas Stringer 2 and Josh Broom 2 each.
Michael Layton led Simpson (17-4) with 8 points, Garrett Taylor added 7, Devin Millis and Josh Hankins 4 each, Cory Herrington 3, Tyler King and Austin Herrington 2 apiece and Walt Prince 1.

In girl’s action……
Columbia withstood a Simpson 9-3 run late in the fourth quarter to hold on to a 45-40 win on the road. Senior Ashton Scarborough led the Lady Cougars with a game high 22 points as Columbia upped their season mark to 14-5.
Columbia jumped out to an early 5-0 lead on a Hannah Martin 3-pointer from the top of the key and a Clare Herring jumper from the elbow. Simpson closed the opening quarter strong as baskets from Lauren Griffin and Natalie Sullivan enabled SCA to keep close in what would be a 10-6 Columbia lead heading into the second quarter.

(Above) Simpson's Abby Dunston (#14) is slowed by Columbia's Clare Herring (#12) and Hannah Martin (#21)
Columbia stretched out to a 15-8 lead on a Sissy Price jumper at the 6:02 mark of the second quarter but an 8-0 Simpson run gave SCA their first lead of the night at 16-15 with just under three minutes left in the half. Buckets from Abby Dunston, Brittany Gardner, Lauren Griffin and a baseline drive by Dunston completed the run.
Simpson’s lead was short-lived as Ashton Scarborough of Columbia closed the half with six points to give the Lady Cougars a slim 21-18 halftime advantage.

(Above) Simpson's Brittany Gardner (#34) shoots over Sissy Price (#15) of Columbia
Columbia managed to increase their led to 33-27 heading into the final quarter and threatened to break things open after Scarborough canned two free throws at the 4:44 mark of the fourth quarter to give Columbia breathing room at 39-31.
Simpson responded with baskets from four different players and methodically cut into the Columbia lead. Lauren Griffin’s jumper from the elbow at the 4:27 mark trimmed the deficit to 39-33 and a Brittany Gardner lay-in in the paint on the following possession pulled Simpson to within four points at 39-35.
Following two Meredith Bass free throws to push the Columbia lead back to six at 41-35 Simpson senior Lauren Welch drilled a 3-pointer from the wing to cut the deficit in half at 41-38 with 1:41.
Columbia’s Clare Herring then hit on one of two free throws but Simpson pulled to within a basket as Natalie Sullivan’s drive at the 37 second mark made it a 42-40 game.
Simpson would get no closer and Columbia converted on 3 of 4 free throws to secure a hard fought 45-40 road win.
Columbia’s Ashton Scarborough (right) led all scorers with 22 points, Hannah Martin added 9, Meredith Bass had 6, Sissy Price and Clare Herring had 3 each and Kelsey Cooper 2.
Abby Dunston led Simpson (10-7) with 12 points, Natalie Sullivan chipped in with 9, Brittany Gardner 7 and Lauren Griffin and Lauren Welch had 6 each.

Post game with Columbia head coach Reid McCay

From The Notebook...........

**Leake girl’s head coach Doyle Wolverton has been re-admitted back into the hospital. Coach Wolverton had another stint put in due to a torn artery and is doing much better. He is at St. Dominic in Jackson. Coach Wolverton is in our prayers.
**James Thurman is the new head football coach at Riverdale Academy. Thurman is from Minden and was the head coach at Woodlawn in Shreveport. It’s the same High School that Terry Bradshaw attended.
**Received official word from the MAIS that Alpha Christian has dropped their basketball program.
**Three players that have been critical to their teams’ success this season seem to be getting better each week.
>Greenville Christian’s Harry Williams has been on a roll this season. The senior is averaging just under 32 points a game and was ever so close to a quadruple double in the top ranked Saint’s win over Deer Creek earlier in the week. “Harry is absolutely the heart and soul of our team. He’s a great kid and an unbelievably hard worker. He’s the kind of player that can completely take over a game. Even when he doesn’t have a big scoring night he always leaves his mark on the game. He brings it every single night. We wouldn’t trade him for anything,” said Greenville Christian head coach Calvin Knight.
>West Memphis has been a huge surprise in boy’s Class AA this season. The Black Knights have posted a 13-5 record and are coming off winning the Kirk Tournament in which they had wins over North Delta and Pillow. The spark plug that makes the West Memphis engine run is senior David Robilio. Robilio missed the first ten games of the season with a fractured wrist and just returned on December 28th. In the eight games since his return the Black Knights are undefeated and the senior is averaging 29.4 points a game. “I watched a lot of film from last year and David could score but his effort on defense needed improvement. His scoring is certainly helping this year but his effort on defense and his leadership are really what has made us better since his return. Also, he watched his teammates step up while he was out and I think his level of respect and trust for them went to a new level,” said West Memphis head coach Jeff Dalton.
>In MAIS basketball there’s one particular player that is ginning up lots of attention on the court. The Lady Bobcats of Presbyterian have built a 15-4 record and a #2 ranking in Class AAA and a primary reason has been the play of an eighth grader. Trista Magee may be an eighth grader but she plays with the poise of a senior. At 6’ tall Magee is averaging 15.2 points a game and is coming of a 23 point performance in Presbyterian’s 49-39 win over East Rankin and 16 points in a 41-19 win over Parklane. Presbyterian head coach Missy Bilderback said, “Trista is a joy to coach. She plays with such enthusiasm and confidence. She is a skilled player that loves to compete, and has stepped up huge for us so far this season. It’s amazing what she is doing at her age, but for her it’s all about having fun and helping her team win.”
**There are many ways to support Southern Sports & Travel. Sponsorship ads and business ads help immensely in keeping the site operating but as the site continues to grow, attracting business advertising is critical. Please do all you can to patronize those businesses that advertise on Southern Sports & Travel.

Williams takes the reign at Columbia
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
Brookhaven defensive coordinator Kenny Williams has been formerly introduced as the new head football coach at Columbia Academy. The 31 year old is anxious to get started rebuilding the Cougar football program and has already spent time studying film and meeting with staff. Williams said he’s been focusing on where to place kids and that he’ll do what’s best for the Columbia football program in doing so. Having been on the job for just over one week Williams said, “I’ve been welcomed with open arms from the folks at Columbia and the kids have responded well to what I’m asking of them.”

While this will be Williams’ first head coaching job the Mississippi College graduate has a solid pedigree to fall back on. Williams has had coaching stints at Pillow, Heritage, Central Holmes and Mississippi College, but the most notable has been the recent three years at Brookhaven.
Williams is more than eager to talk about how valuable the past three seasons have been. “I’ve learned from one of the best coaches in the MAIS,” said Williams speaking of Brookhaven head coach Herbert Davis. “He’s a brilliant man and because of him I’ve learned the value of how to be prepared as a coach each week and how to prepare your players.”
The main objective at the onset will be changing attitudes with regards to Columbia football according to Williams. “Instilling the belief that they will win will be key. We’ll work on changing attitudes and helping the kids acquire the mentality that they know they will win. Lots of times the team with the most talent doesn’t win but rather the team with the toughest mentality.”
When asked about the type of offense that Columbia supporters and fans can expect to see Williams said, “There will be lots of similarities to Brookhaven’s offense and we’ll stress enthusiasm and discipline with a focus on fundamentals.”
The Richland High School graduate said he felt the time was right in accepting a head coaching position but leaving so many kids that he bonded with at Brookhaven wasn’t easy. “When you win a state championship you build a special bond with the kids so it can be hard. I love all those kids.”
Williams will also be taking over the Columbia Academy Athletic Director duties.

*Photos courtesy of Sherylyn Evans

Talkin Basketball with Brett Rutland

A midseason review of the 2010/11 MAIS basketball season and the upcoming playoffs

Brookhaven Tournament Finals

Rebels roll in Brookhaven
Central Private jumped out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back as the top ranked Rebels beat Brookhaven 73-53 to win the Brookhaven Christmas Tournament. All five Rebel starters hit double digits on the night as Central Private upped their season mark to 16-2.
The Rebels set the pace from the opening tip as junior Lance Wicker drained 3-pointers from the wing on Central Private’s first two possessions. After Brookhaven senior Sidney Chaffin’s lay-in pulled the Cougars to within four points at 11-7 at the 3:30 mark Central Private finished the opening quarter with a 9-2 run. Simpson Anderson drained a 15 footer, Jake Flaggert converted in the paint, Wicker hit his third 3-pointer of the quarter and Dave Jackson’s steal and slam at the buzzer gave the Rebels a 20-9 advantage after one quarter of play.
Brookhaven pulled to within striking distance at 24-18 on Gage Posey’s 3-pointer midway through the quarter but Central Private closed out the 2nd quarter as they did the 1st, with a run. A 10-2 run capped off by Lance Wicker’s fourth 3-pointer of the half gave the Rebels their biggest lead at 34-22 at the halfway point. Central Private demonstrated what all the buzz has been about during the first four minutes of the 3rd quarter as they exploded with a 13-2 run to take a commanding 47-24 lead. Simpson Anderson drained a long 3-pointer and both Jake Flaggert and Dave Jackson had impressive slams during the run.
Central Private took their biggest lead of the night at 69-42 on a Taylor Fletcher driving basket with just over five minutes remaining in the game.
Lance Wicker led Central Private with 19 points (five 3-pointers), Simpson Anderson, Dave Jackson and Taylor Fletcher each had 13, Jake Flaggert added 12, Luke Fryoux and Austin Pierce had 2 apiece.
Sidney Chaffin led Brookhaven (7-5) with 19 points, Gage Posey added 18 (three 3-pointers), Brock Smith 7 and Matthew Evans, Jeff Rushing, Will Hickman and Brennan Miller 2 each.
Both teams will be playing district opponents next week. Central Private will travel to Silliman on Tuesday while Brookhaven will host Bowling Green that same day.

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Leake remains perfect
Top ranked Leake overcame turnovers and first half foul trouble to take a 43-36 win over 2nd ranked Brookhaven to win the Brookhaven Christmas Tournament. Hannah Peoples and Jenny Wilbanks combined for 27 points as the defending Class AA state champions improved to 22-0 and look primed to make a run at their sixth straight state crown.
With Leake on top 4-1 midway through the opening quarter Brookhaven went to a zone press that was effective in forcing Rebelette turnovers. The Lady Cougars capitalized on the turnovers and took their first lead at 6-4 on Anna Mangold’s lay-in with 3:14 left in the quarter. Leake closed out the 1st quarter with a 3-pointer from sophomore Hannah Peoples at the buzzer to regain the lead at 10-9.
Peoples would give Leake a six point cushion at 18-12 with a 3-pointer from the top of the key three minutes into the 2nd quarter but Brookhaven answered as senior Anna Mangold reeled off three straight baskets to knot the contest at 18-18 with 1:28 remaining in the half. Each squad traded baskets and free throws in the last 55 seconds of the quarter to send the game into halftime tied at 22-22.
Leake turned up the defensive pressure and Shelbi Horn drilled three jumpers as the Rebelettes went on top 28-22 and held Brookhaven scoreless through nearly six minutes of the 3rd quarter. Terah Winborne’s 3-pointer from the wing at the 2:04 mark pulled the Lady Cougars to within three points at 28-25 and Laura Beth Wright added two free throws to narrow the deficit to one point with 1:46 remaining in the quarter.
Leake answered with consecutive jumpers from senior Jenny Wilbanks to increase the lead to 32-27 and Hannah Peoples once again drained a 3-pointer at the horn to give the defending champs a 35-27 lead heading into the final quarter. Leake took their biggest lead of the night at 38-27 ten seconds into the final quarter as Peoples hit a 3-pointer from the corner but Brookhaven rallied with a 9-0 run. Winborne canned a 3-pointer from the wing, Anna Mangold and Laura Beth Wright hit 3 of 4 free throws and Mary Lindsey Magee’s offensive rebound and put back, plus one, pulled the Lady Cougars to with two points at 38-36 with 4:46 remaining.
That would be as close as Brookhaven would get as Leake held the Lady Cougars scoreless the remaining four minutes of the game. Leake’s Anna Nowell converted on a basket in the paint and later hit 1 of 2 free throws and Hannah Peoples sank a jumper from the elbow to secure a 43-36 win.
Peoples had a game high 14 points, Wilbanks added 13, Shelbi Horn 8, Shelby Howard 5 and Anna Nowell 3.
Anna Mangold and Terah Winborne had 12 each to lead Brookhaven (13-2), Laura Beth Wright added 8 and Mary Lindsey Magee 4.
Next up for Leake will be a District 3-AA matchup with Lamar in Madden while Brookhaven hosts Bowling Green in a District 4-AA meeting.

Brookhaven Tourney Semi-Finals

Leake pummels Marshall
Jenny Wilbanks continued her dominating play as the Leake senior went off for 34 points in a 51-27 win over Marshall. The top ranked Rebelettes jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead while holding Marshall to one free throw in the opening quarter and the Lady Patriots had no answer for Wilbanks who scored 12 of Leake’s 16 first quarter points.
Wilbanks scored 11 second quarter points to give Leake a 28-10 halftime advantage.
Leake went on a 10-0 run to start the final quarter and extended their lead to 45-19 en-route to a 51-27 win to push their season mark to 21-0.
Anna Nowell added 7 points for the Class AA defending champions, Hannah Peoples and Shelby Howard had 4 each and Shelbi Horn 2.
Callie Clanton led Marshall (11-7) with 15 points, Kelsey Shaw and Elizabeth Skelton had 5 each and Megan Anderson 2.

Brookhaven second half batters Delta
In last night’s semi-final action Brookhaven’s Terah Winborne was unstoppable as the junior had a game high 27 points in leading the 2nd ranked Lady Cougars to a 66-40 win over Class A and top ranked Delta.
Brookhaven had trouble shaking the defending Class A state champions in the first half and with just under three minutes left in the 2nd quarter a Marley Anne Schiele 3-pointer from the wing pulled the Lady Raiders to within five points at 23-18.
Brookhaven quickly extended their lead to 33-23 to start the second half on two free throws and a steal and basket from Laura Beth Wright. Mary Lindsey Magee’s offensive rebound and put back with 1:23 left in the quarter gave the Lady Cougars their biggest lead at 48-32. Delta would get no closer as Brookhaven cruised to a 66-40 win to improve to 13-1.
Laura Beth Wright added 14 points for Brookhaven, Anna Mangold 13, Mary Lindsey Magee 8, Anna Lofton and Summer Calhoun 2 each.
Morgan Shook led Delta (16-6) with 23 points, Marley Anne Schiele added 13 and Whitney Corbin and Forest Gurley had 2 each.

Trinity pushes Central Private to two overtimes

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
Just over three weeks ago Class AA and top ranked Central Private drilled Trinity to the tune of 110-76 and while the Rebels defeated the Saints again in yesterday’s semi-final contest the path in getting that victory was much different. Central Private advanced to the finals with a heart thumping 69-68 double overtime win over Trinity in the best matchup of the Brookhaven Christmas Tournament.
Central Private seemed stunned as Trinity ran out to a 10-0 opening quarter lead behind the hot shooting of junior guard Tip McKenzie. The Rebels didn’t notch a basket until the 4:05 mark when Jake Flaggert scored on a driving lay-in to make it 10-2. Trinity closed out a strong first quarter on a Kent King 3-pointer from the corner to give the Saints their biggest lead at 21-8.

Central Private exploded with a 15-1 run behind the play of senior Taylor Fletcher over the first five minutes of the second quarter to pull to within one point at 23-22 and knotted the game at 25-25 on a Simpson Anderson transition basket plus one with 1:44 remaining in the half.
Trinity hit 3 of 4 free throws in the final minute to take a 28-25 lead into halftime.
Trinity produced a 7-1 run to start the 3rd quarter and pushed their advantage to 35-26 with 5:25 remaining in the period.
Jake Flaggert’s lay-in off the glass and Dave Jackson’s offensive rebound and basket at the 2:29 mark pulled the Rebels back to within four at 36-32 but Trinity kept Central Private at bay as Tip McKenzie’s steal and basket and two free throws gave the Saints a 40-32 cushion with just over one minute left in the quarter.
Central Private got a critical 3-pointer at the buzzer from Lance Wicker to close the gap to 40-35 heading into the 4th quarter.
Sophomore Jake Flaggert gave Central Private their first lead of the game at 45-44 on a driving basket with 2:49 left in regulation.
With the Rebels hanging on to a 48-46 lead and 7 seconds remaining, Givonni Dent was fouled in the backcourt but missed the front end of a 1&1. Trinity was awarded the ball with 2.2 seconds remaining after Central Private couldn’t pull down the missed free throw and Kent King found Givonni Dent in the paint on a well executed inbounds play to knot the game at 48-48 at the buzzer.
Trinity regained the lead at 50-48 on two King free throws to start the four minute overtime period and at the 2:39 mark held a 52-50 advantage following a Tanner Cage jumper in the paint.

Luke Fryoux, fresh off the bench, drilled a 3-pointer from the corner to put Central Private back on top at 53-52 at the 2:16 mark. Following a Trinity turnover Simpson Anderson hit two free throws to give the Rebels a 57-54 advantage.
Both teams traded turnovers and a free throw apiece and with Central Private holding on to a 58-55 lead Givonni Dent calmly drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the buzzer to send the game into double overtime at 58-58.
Tanner Cage gave Trinity a three point lead at 65-62 on a driving lay-in with 1:20 left in the second overtime but Central Private countered with baskets from Simpson Anderson and Jake Flaggert to put the Rebels on top for good at 66-65 with 30 seconds remaining.
Flaggert added two free throws and Taylor Fletcher added one to give the Rebels a 69-65 lead with 8 seconds left. Tip McKenzie drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer for Trinity to finish off a Brookhaven Christmas Tournament classic.
Jake Flaggert led Central Private (15-2) with 21 points, Taylor Fletcher added 18, Simpson Anderson 10, Lance Wicker and Dave Jackson had 8 each and Luke Fryoux 4.
Tip McKenzie had a game high 23 points to lead Trinity (9-3), Givonni Dent added 14, Kent King 13, Tanner Cage 11, LJ Trimble 5 and Jake Winston 2.

Brookhaven holds off Leake
The defending Class AA state champions earned a 55-49 semi-final win over a scrappy Leake Rebels squad last night but not many expected the visitors to be within three points with 40 seconds remaining in the game. Brookhaven canned 3 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds to secure the win and earn a spot in the finals.
Brookhaven started off on fire as the Cougars raced out to an 8-0 lead as four of the five starters each converted on a basket in the first three minutes of the quarter. Leake put together a 7-0 run to pull within four points at 17-13 with 39 seconds left in the period but a Matthew Evans 3-pointer from the wing at the buzzer provided the Cougars with a 20-13 lead heading into the second quarter.

Brookhaven looked primed to pull away in the first two minutes of the second quarter as Brock Smith converted on a transition basket and then canned two free throws to put the Cougars up 26-16 with 6:06 left in the half but Leake wouldn’t go away. The Rebels closed out the half with a Ryan Sessums 12 footer and a Wesley Webb fast break basket to keep within striking distance at the halfway point at 36-29.
Brookhaven took their biggest lead at 46-33 at the 3:22 mark of the 3rd quarter on a Brennan Miller 3-pointer from the wing but Leake answered by trimming the deficit to 46-38 with a 3-pointer from Austin Shepard and two Ryan Sessums free throws to finish out the quarter.

Wesley Webb got Leake to within four points two minutes into the final quarter with a 3-pointer from the wing and Hank Coleman sank two free throws on the next possession to make it 50-48 with 4:54 remaining. Leake’s shooting went dry as the Rebels could only muster a free throw the remaining four minutes and Brookhaven converted on 3 of 4 free throws and got a Sidney Chaffin basket to take a 55-49 win.
Brennan Miller led Brookhaven (7-4) with 18 points (four 3 pointers), Sidney Chaffin and Brock Smith added 10 each, Chandler Rogers had 8, Gage Posey 5 and Mathew Evans 4.
Wesley Webb paced Leake with 14 points, Ryan Sessums and Grant Wilson had 8 each, Austin Shepard and Hank Coleman 6 each, Aaron Shepard 5 and Joshua Peoples 2.

Brookhaven Christmas Tourney

The 2010 Brookhaven Holiday Christmas Tournament has completed day two of competition. Day two got off to a rousing start as Marshall's Elizabeth Skelton hit an 8 footer at the buzzer to beat Centreville 39-38 in overtime.

In the second girls contest Class A & top ranked Delta held off Bowling Green 48-44 to improve to 16-5. Whitney Corbin and Marley Anne Scheile each had 13 points to lead Delta while Bowling Green sophomore Mackayla Dykes had a game high 21 points.

In a boys showdown between top five ranked squads in their respective classes Trinity (9-2) overcame a 14 point halftime deficit to beat Marshall 75-64. Trinity's Tip McKenzie continued his torrid play as the junior led all scorers with 26 points. Taylor Maurey paced Marshall (13-3) with 24 points.

The defending Class AA state champion Leake Rebelettes improved to 20-0 with a 60-37 win over East Rankin. Jenny Wilbanks led Leake with 25 points while sophomore Hannah Peoples hit five 3-pointers en-route to 17 points. Kaitlyn Coghlan led East Rankin with 16 points.

Leake's boys had little trouble in defeating Kirk 67-40 behind Wesley Webb's game high 20 points. Aaron Shepard added 13 and Ryan Sessums chipped in with 11. Sayle Roberts led Kirk with 13 points.

The Brookhaven Lady Cougars exhibited why they'll be serious contenders to win a state championship as they dismantled Prentiss 77-27. Laura Beth Wright paced Brookhaven with 16 points, Terah Winborne added 14 and Anna Mangold 10. The 2nd ranked Lady Cougars improved to 12-1.

In the boys nightcap Central Private and East Rankin didn't disappoint the large crowd as they combined for 152 points. The Class AA and top ranked Central Private Rebels broke open what had become a two point game midway through the 3rd quarter to win 84-68 and improve to 14-2 on the season. Simpson Anderson led Central Private with 23 points, including five 3-pointers, Jake Flaggart added 19, Dave Jackson 17, Taylor Flecther 14 and Lance Wicker 8. East Rankin was led by Tyler Rhodes with 23 points and Jacob Weldon with 22.