Silliman Wildcat inks with Louisiana College

Colt DuCote' from Silliman Institute signed a baseball scholarship with Louisiana College on Thursday, March 29th. Seated with him are his parents, Kay and Brian DuCote' and his sister Macy. He was also accompanied by James Antoon, assistant baseball coach, Ann Kent, Administrator, Sharon Kline, Athletic Director, and John Ryan Beauchamp, Head Baseball Coach at Silliman.

Rebels sweep Tigers to take over top spot

Southern Sports & Travel

Just one week ago second ranked Central Private was glaring at a full two game deficit to defending state champion Centreville in the District 6-AA race. After last night the Rebels now sit atop the district and will take over the top spot in the Class AA rankings heading into next week’s action.

Senior and Nicholls State signee Seth Stevens blasted a Cliff Hurst 1-1 pitch over the right field wall with two men on in the bottom of the sixth inning to propel Central Private to a 3-0 game one win and Stevens provided clutch relief pitching to halt a Centreville seventh inning rally to preserve a 5-4 win in the second game of a double header at Central last night.

(Photo above) Central Private celebrates following Seth Stevens' 6th inning 3 run homer

Top ranked Centreville had ample opportunities in the early going of game one but getting timely hits were at a premium for the Tigers as they stranded six men on base over the first three innings.

Central Private ran the risk of falling behind in the top of the third inning as Brennan Fucich found himself in a jam after walking the first two Tiger batters but the junior closed the door with three consecutive strikeouts to end the Centreville threat.

While Centreville struggled scoring runs senior right hander Cliff Hurst (Photo right) was in full control on the mound allowing just one Central Private hit over his first five innings of work.

Hurst saw his pitching performance fall apart quickly in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Central Private senior Ryan Young was nailed by a Hurst pitch to open the inning and Brad Miller reached base on an infield error to give Seth Stevens an opportunity to capitalize and the senior did just that as he sent a 1-1 pitch over the right field wall to give the Rebels a 3-0 lead.

Central Private closed the door in the seventh inning as reliever Grant Wiedeman polished off two and 2/3 innings of work by forcing Centreville into a double play to end the game.

Wiedeman earned the win allowing two hits and picking up one strikeout. Fucich (Photo below) worked four and 1/3 innings, gave up one hit, no runs, five walks and struck out eight.

Hurst picked up the loss going six innings and allowing two hits, three runs, one walk and striking out five.

Game two had all the makings of a slug fest as Centreville looked to salvage one game of the three game series with the Rebels.

Hunter Devall drilled a one out double to right field off of starter Chase Martin and Tyler Towles wasted little time in getting Devall home as he hit a double to left field to give Centreville a quick 1-0 lead.

Centreville would increase their lead to 2-0 on an Ethan Noland single that scored Tyler Towles.

Martin worked his way out of a tough first inning by forcing a Hunter Travis ground out.

As quickly as Centreville struck, Central Private did even better in their half of the first inning.

Ryan Young collected a single off the first pitch of Tiger starter Corey Gaulden and Brad Miller reached base on a Centreville infield error.

Seth Stevens then sent a 2-1 pitch to deep center field for a double that scored both Young and Miller to knot the game at 2-2.

Jonathan Nicosia followed up with a single that scored Stevens who had advanced to third base on a passed ball.

Hunter Fauntleroy’s left field single would later score Nicosia in what would be a four run inning for the Rebels.

Central Private would up their margin to 5-2 in the second inning.

After Ryan Bowman was hit by a pitch the sophomore stole second base and advanced to third on a infield single from Ryan Young.

Bowman scored on a Brad Miller single to left field and that would be all for Centreville starter Corey Gaulden who was replaced by junior Randy Bell.

Bell would work four and 2/3 innings allowing just one hit while striking out five.

(Photo above) Centreville's Colby Shaw (#4) nearly gets picked off by Central Private's Brennan Fucich 

Centreville had rally on their minds in their half of the seventh inning.

Down 5-2 lead off hitter Chance Humphreys reached base on a throwing error and a walk to Gage Chandler spelled the end of the evening for Chase Martin.

Central Private brought in reliever Grant Wiedeman to close the deal but the junior would walk Hunter Devall to load the bases and Centreville would trim the deficit to 5-3 as Tyler Towles was hit by a Wiedeman pitch that would bring in Humphreys.

Enter senior Seth Stevens to the mound.

With the bases loaded Stevens made quick work of Cliff Hurst and Randy Bell by striking out both.

A passed ball would score Chandler from third base to cut the Rebel lead to 5-4 but Stevens sealed the deal with a game ending strikeout of Ethan Noland.

Chase Martin got the win going six innings, allowing five hits, four runs, three walks and picking up three strikeouts.

Seth Stevens earned the save with one inning of work and three strikeouts.

Ryan Young led Central Private at the plate going 2 for 3 and Seth Stevens (Photo right) picked up two RBI’s on 1 for 2 hitting.

Central Private improves to 17-3 overall and 7-2 in district play while Centreville falls to 14-4 and 6-3.

Next up for Central Private is District 6-AA foe Oak Forest on Monday while Centreville will travel to Silliman on Tuesday for another important District 6-AA matchup.

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Post Game with Central Private head coach Jason Kinchen

Mark inks with Copiah-Lincoln

Bowling Green senior Jer-Rel Mark has signed a baseball scholarship with Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Left to right, Copiah-Lincoln head coach Keith Case, Bowling Green Headmaster Beverely Young, Jer-Rel Mark, Mrs. Katie James (mother), and Bowling Green head coach Matt Sessions.

Lady Buc signs with Pearl River to play softball

Bowling Green senior Dache' Passman has signed a softball scholarship with Pearl River Community College.

Top left to right: Coach Meagen James, Coach Kim Boutwell, and Coach Leigh White

Bottom left to right: Tammy Lambert (mother), Dache' Passman and Coach Pat King

Biggs of Central Hinds inks with William Carey

Hope Biggs from Central Hinds Academy, 4 time Mississippi Junior Golf Association Female Golfer of the Year signs a Golf Scholarship with William Carey University.

Pictured (left to right) June (mother), Alex (brother), Austin (brother), and Greg (Father) and Hope.

The ceremony was held in the Central Hinds Library with Adminstrators, fellow Senior athletes and William Carey Golf Coach Jeff Mixon in attendance.

Fenn signs to play football at Belhaven

Chance Fenn, Senior football player from Trinity Episcopal School, signed with Belhaven College in Jackson, MS, to play football for the Belhaven Blazers. Pictured are: Merle Corley, Grandmother; Paul Fenn, Father; Chance Fenn signing, Ramona Fenn, Mother; Leeland Floyd, Nephew; Sam Corley, Grandfather. Standing: Coach Richy Spears, Coach David King, and Headmaster Father Brant Dick

Another Marshall Patriot signs

Neil Murphy, a senior long snapper for the Marshall Academy Patriots, signed a football scholarship February 23 with Hinds Community College. Seated with him for the ceremony at the Marshall Academy library are his parents, Harold and Susie Murphy. Standing, from left, are assistant coach Bart Jenkins, head coach Barrett Donahoe and assistant coach Keith Owens. Classmates, friends and fellow Marshall Academy athletes were also on hand for the ceremony.

Jackson Prep basketball, back on top

Southern Sports & Travel

It’s been said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Maybe in the areas of love and friendship but when it comes to winning MAIS championships a long absence leaves the heart with anything but fondness.

In the case of Jackson Prep, enduring 14 seasons without hoisting that Gold Ball has been one of bitter disappointment but on Saturday evening the trophy returned to the most successful boys basketball program in MAIS history.

Jackson Prep defeated Marshall 50-45 on Saturday to win the school’s 14^th Overall Championship and cap off a 38-1 season for fifth year head coach David Horner.

Ryan Buchanan scored 15 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in leading Prep to the win as the junior demonstrated why he is arguably the best player in the MAIS.

(Above) Wic Smith (#4) of Jackson Prep drives to the basket in the first half

Jackson Prep wasted little time in getting the basketball to the post as Gage Ray quickly gave Prep a 2-0 lead 23 seconds into the opening quarter.

Marshall would get their first basket at the 6:01 mark on a Chase Ferrell bucket in the paint and the Patriots would take their first lead at 5-2 on their next possession when Kevin Fitzpatrick turned a Prep turnover into a lay-in, plus one, with 5:13 remaining in the quarter.

Jackson Prep would regain the lead at 8-7 on a Whit Kendall lay-in and finish the opening quarter with a Kendall kiss off the glass in the paint followed by a Wic Smith steal and basket at the 46 seconds mark to close out the quarter with Prep on top 12-7.

Dakota Dailey got Marshall to within two points at 12-10 with a 3-pointer from the top of the key to start the second quarter and Kevin Fitzpatrick followed with an offensive rebound and stick back to knot the game 12-12 at the 6:22 mark.

The lead would swap hands three times before Marshall reeled of six straight points to take what would be their biggest lead of the game at 21-17 with 1:03 remaining in the half.

Jackson Prep trimmed the deficit to two points at 21-19 on a free throw each from Wic Smith and Josh Williams to close out the first half.

Jackson Prep wasted little time in tying the game at 21-21 to start the third quarter as Ryan Buchanan  (Photo right) drained an 18 foot jumper.

Prep regained the lead at 24-21 on De Graeber’s lay-in, plus one, at the 6:39 mark of the third quarter and again the lead changed hands three times but after Brad Bennett’s 3-pointer put Marshall on top at 33-32 with 39 seconds left in the quarter Jackson Prep slowly took control.

A Josh Williams transition basket, plus one, with 8 seconds left in the third quarter gave Prep a 35-33 lead and all the momentum heading into the final eight minutes of play.

Marshall would get to within a point at 35-34 on a Kevin Fitzpatrick free throw one minute into the fourth quarter but free throw shooting would be an Achilles heel for the Patriots in the quarter.

(Above) Kevin Fitzpatrick (#1) of Marshall scored 18 points along with 11 rebounds

Prep fired off an 8-2 run capped by a Thomas Dunbar assist to Wic Smith at the 4:11 mark to give Jackson Prep their biggest lead at 43-36 but Marshall still had some fight left in them.

Dakota Dailey drilled a 3-pointer off a Prep turnover to trim the deficit to 43-39 but Marshall missed an opportunity off consecutive Prep turnovers by missing the front end of a one and one with 2:11 remaining in regulation.

Two Ryan Buchanan free throws gave Prep breathing room at 45-39 but Marshall cashed in on a Prep turnover at the 1:25 mark to pull to within four points at 45-41 on a Kevin Fitzpatrick basket.

Marshall’s Aaron McAlexander hit one of two free throws with 1:06 left to narrow the margin to 45-42 but Jackson Prep closed the door by hitting on 5/8 free throws down the championship stretch to win 50-45.

Jackson Prep Patriots - 2012 Overall Tournament Champions

Jackson Prep was led by junior Ryan Buchanan with 15 points and 14 rebounds, Wic Smith added 11 points, Josh Williams and De Graeber had 6 each, Thomas Dunbar and Whit Kendall 4 apiece and Gage Ray and Cade Noble 2 each.

Marshall (38-4) was led by Kevin Fitzpatrick with 18 points and 11 rebounds, Dakota Dailey added 12, Brad Bennett 9, Aaron McAlexander 4 and Chase Ferrell 2.
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Post Game with Jackson Prep head coach David Horner

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Starkville wins first Overall Championship

Southern Sports & Travel

Since 1970 an Overall champion’s name has been etched into the official program that fans and supporter’s purchase at the annual MAIS Overall Tournament. Absent in the previous entries has been Starkville Academy, until now.

The Starkville Academy Lady Vols defeated MRA 50-39 yesterday at the A.E. Wood Coliseum in Clinton, Mississippi to win the much heralded Gold Ball and in doing so have joined a select group of teams that preceded them.

Starkville closed the final five minutes of yesterday’s title game against MRA with a 14-2 run sparked by junior Tiffany Huddleston who contributed 10 of those points.

(Above) Starkville's Sallie Kate Richardson (#24) shoots over MRA's Amber Landing (#21)

Starkville got the start they had hoped for, after yielding the opening basket of the contest to MRA, the Lady Vols went to work.

April Burney drained two perimeter jumpers to give Starkville their first lead at 4-2 followed by Anna Lea Little’s offensive rebound and put back to increase the lead to 6-2 nearly five minutes into the opening quarter.

After an Amber Landing stick back notched MRA’s second basket Starkville closed the quarter in strong fashion.

Sophomore Nora Carroll canned a 3-pointer from the wing at the 2:19 mark followed by a 10 foot jumper in the paint from Sallie Kate Richardson to increase the lead to 11-4.

Following an MRA bucket Starkville closed with a 5-0 run as Anna Prestridge hit a 3-pointer and Sallie Kate Richardson’s drive with 14 seconds remaining capped a 16-6 first quarter for the Lady Vols.

Starkville grabbed their biggest lead at 18-6 on an Anna Lea Little 15 foot jumper to start the second quarter but MRA fought back with a run of their own as seniors Anna Claire Henderson and Haley Cox spearheaded a Lady Patriot 10-0 run to pull MRA to within two points at 18-16 with 2:26 remaining in the first half.

Coming out of a timeout, and a loss of momentum, Starkville got a huge boost from sophomore center Sallie Kate Richardson.

(Above) Nora Carroll (#33) of Starkville pulls down a rebound in the fourth quarter

Richardson hit free throws and then went glass in the paint to extend Starkville’s lead to 22-16 with 1:22 left in the quarter.

The sophomore then served up an assist to Tiffany Huddleston to close out the half with Starkville holding a 24-16 advantage.

MRA made their push for the championship in the third quarter as the Lady Patriots came out of intermission with a purpose.

A Haley Cox steal and bucket was followed by two Cox free throws after a Starkville turnover to trim the deficit to 24-20.

Following a Nora Carroll 3-pointer that extended Starkville’s lead to 27-20 MRA delivered a 13-3 run capped by Jessica Whitehead’s 3-pointer from the wing with 51 seconds remaining in the quarter to give MRA a 33-30 lead, their first since 2-0.

Anna Lea Little’s 18 foot jumper with 36 seconds left pulled Starkville back to within one point at 33-32 to close the quarter.

MRA’s lead didn’t stand long as Starkville went back on top at 34-33 on Nora Carroll’s offensive rebound and stick back thirty seconds into the final quarter.

Sallie Kate Richardson did the same on Starkville’s second possession of the quarter forcing an MRA timeout with the Lady Vols holding a 36-33 edge with 6:52 remaining in regulation.

Coming out of the timeout MRA’s Carmen Carter drained a 17 foot baseline jumper and Haley Cox capitalized on a Starkville turnover with a floater in the lane to propel MRA back in front at 37-36 at the 5:11 mark.

(Above) Haley Cox (#15) of MRA looks to feed the post

That would be the last lead for MRA as Starkville would go off.

Sallie Kate Richardson’s offensive rebound and lay-in gave the Lady Vols the lead for good at 38-37 but it was about to be Tiffany Huddleston time.

The junior scored ten of the next twelve points for Starkville coming by way of two baseline drives, an offensive rebound and put back and a steal and full length lay-in at the 3:19 mark to give Starkville a 44-37 lead to the satisfaction of a large crowd of Lady Vol supporters.

MRA’s Haley Cox stopped the Starkville 10-0 run with a driving lay-in at the 2:05 mark but Huddleston and Anna Lea Little each hit two free throws to cement a 50-39 win.

“Ever since the end of last season this is what we’ve been working for,” said an elated Anna Lea Little. “It’s a great feeling knowing that our hard work paid off.”

For Tiffany Huddleston, who is a Mississippi State soccer signee, the accomplishment was just sinking in. “This is something that’s never happened at Starkville Academy so we’re just living in the moment right now and everybody is so excited,” said Huddleston. “I’m thankful for the opportunity that God has given me today.”

Starkville Lady Vols - 2012 Overall Tournament Champions

Starkville (38-5) was led by Sallie Kate Richardson with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, Tiffany Huddleston had 12 points, Anna Lea Little 11 points and 7 rebounds, Nora Carroll 8 points and 8 rebounds, April Burney 4 and Anna Prestridge 3.

MRA (33-8) was led by Haley Cox with 18 points, Anna Claire Henderson had 10 points and 8 rebounds, Jessica Whitehead added 5 and Amber Landing, Carmen Carter and Tavry Lovitt 2 apiece.

Perhaps the best quote of the day came from a parent of a Starkville player. “I’m not sure I will sleep tonight, to say Starkville is excited is an understatement.”

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Post Game with Starkville head coach Glenn Schmidt

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Starkville punches ticket to final

Southern Sports & Travel

Top ranked Starkville Academy has made come from behind wins a habit lately but unlike their previous three victories the Lady Vols took a mid first quarter lead and never relinquished it in defeating third ranked Jackson Prep 51-41 yesterday afternoon in the Overall semi-finals in Clinton, Mississippi.

Anna Lea Little scored 18 points and pulled down 12 rebounds and Starkville used a 28-11 first half lead to propel the Lady Vols into today’s championship game with second ranked MRA.

Jackson Prep got out to a 5-3 lead in a slow starting opening quarter but Starkville’s Anna Lea Little was just getting warmed up.

The junior sank an 18 foot jumper to knot the game at 5-5 at the 3:08 mark of the quarter and converted on a inbounds play, plus one, to give Starkville their first lead at 8-5 with 2:21 left in the opening quarter.

(Above) Starkville's Anna Lea Little (#3) snatches a rebound in the first half

Tiffany Huddleston drained a 3-pointer from the wing following a Prep turnover to extend Starkville’s lead to 11-5 and Little hit a 3-pointer from the same spot to give the Lady Vols a 14-5 lead heading into the second quarter. Little scored 11 points in the quarter.

Jackson Prep pulled to within six points at 16-10 following a Keavy Noblin free throw with 5:12 remaining in the half but the Lady Vols closed the half with a flourish.

Little hit a jumper from 15 feet and Tiffany Huddleston’s 3-pointer from the corner at the 3:49 mark pushed the lead to 21-11.

Huddleston cashed in on a Prep turnover as the junior hit another 3-pointer from the same spot with 2:28 left and Anna Lea Little hit her third 3-pointer of the half at the 53 seconds mark to give Starkville their biggest lead at 28-11 as the  first half closed.

Starkville looked primed to finish Jackson Prep early in the third quarter as Nora Carroll converted on a transition bucket just over a minute in to give the Lady Vols a 30-11 cushion but Jackson Prep answered.

Three consecutive baskets from Prep senior Laurel Bane cut the Starkville lead to 30-17 at the 4:58 mark but the Lady Patriots weren’t done yet.

Keavy Noblin drained a 3-pointer from the corner and Evans Horsley capped the 11-0 run with a driving lay-in at the 3:57 mark to pull Prep to within eight points at 30-22.

(Above) April Burney (#15) of Starkville defends Sara Bolen (#33) of Jackson Prep

Noblin’s baseline drive and basket would close the quarter with Starkville holding a 34-26 lead.

Starkville pushed their lead back out to ten points at 43-33 on Anna Lea Little’s assist to Julianne Jackson with 4:07 remaining in the contest but Jackson Prep had one last run in them.

Sara Bolen went baseline and scored and Evans Horsley pulled down an offensive rebound and converted to cut the Starkville lead to 43-37 with 1:49 left in regulation.

Two Nora Carroll free throws gave Starkville some breathing room at 45-37 but Prep answered right back with a Laurel Bane jumper from the elbow with 1:26 left.

Starkville would seal the deal by hitting on 6/6 free throws the final minute to secure a spot in today’s championship final with a 51-41 win over Jackson Prep.

Starkville was led by junior Anna Lea Little with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists, Sallie Kate Richardson added 14, Tiffany Huddleston 12, Nora Carroll 5 and Julianne Jackson 2.

Laurel Bane led Jackson Prep (29-11) with a game high 19 points, Sara Bolen added 8, Keavy Noblin 7, Evans Horsley 4 and Ann Hilton Buckner 3.

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Post Game with Starkville head coach Glenn Schmidt

MRA smothers Leake

Southern Sports & Travel

The Madison-Ridgeland Academy Lady Patriots used a stifling defense and got 13 points and 13 rebounds from freshman center Amber Landing to defeat Leake 53-40 yesterday afternoon to advance to today’s Overall final against a familiar foe, Starkville.

MRA improved to 31-7 with the win and will be looking to capture the school’s fourth Overall girls title and first since 2007.

To do that the Lady Patriots will have to defeat a Starkville squad that just last Saturday captured their first ever girls state championship with a come from behind win over MRA.

(Above) MRA's Jessica Whitehead (#24) and Leake's Mary Grace Key (#11) battle for a loose ball 

In MRA’s win over Leake yesterday the Lady Patriots saw the Rebelettes jump out to an early 6-2 lead in typical Leake fashion, converting turnovers into fast break opportunities but MRA settled down and produced a 10-1 run to end the quarter and take a 12-7 advantage.

With MRA holding a 16-11 lead with 3:21 left in the half Leake looked to get on a roll.

Following a Hannah Peoples free throw Anna Kat Nowell converted an MRA turnover into a fast break bucket to pull the Rebelettes to within two points at 16-14.

Haley Cox hit on one of two free throws to push the Lady Patriot lead to 17-14 but that lead evaporated as Peoples hit a free throw and Nowell scored off an offensive rebound to knot the game at 17-17 with 1:29 remaining in the half.

MRA closed the half strong.

Tori Kennington scored on a baseline drive and Anna Claire Henderson canned two free throws off a Leake turnover to give MRA a 21-17 lead with 42 seconds left in the quarter.

MRA extended their lead to six points as Haley Cox drove baseline and converted a huge basket at the buzzer to give the Lady Patriots a 23-17 halftime edge.

MRA stretched their lead to nine points at 27-18 on freshman Amber Landing’s basket in the paint two minutes into the third quarter and the Lady Patriots grabbed their biggest lead at 34-21 following a Tori Kennington free throw at the 1:30 mark.

Leake trimmed the deficit to ten points at 34-24 on Anna Kat Nowell’s 12 foot jumper, plus one, to close the quarter.

(Above) Leake's Mary Grace Key (#11) launches a jumper in the first half

Leake started the fourth quarter on fire as Nowell hit a 12 foot jumper following an MRA turnover and Hannah Peoples converted on an MRA turnover to pull the Rebelettes to within six points at 36-30 with less than one minute elapsed in the final quarter.

Leake would get to within six points once more at 38-32 on a Nowell drive with 5:29 left but MRA would begin to pull away.

Carmen Carter’s transition bucket gave MRA a 40-32 advantage and Anna Claire Henderson served up an assist to Carter on consecutive possessions to push the Lady Patriot lead to 44-32 with 2:48 left in regulation.

Following a Mary Grace Key 12 foot baseline jumper to pull Leake back to within ten points at 44-34 MRA slammed the door.

Carmen Carter went baseline and scored with 2:14 left to extend the lead back to twelve points at 46-34.

Leake got to within eight points on a Mary Grace Key 3-pointer with 36 seconds remaining but Anna Claire Henderson hit a free throw and converted on a fast break to seal the deal and give MRA a 53-40 win to advance to the final.

MRA was led by freshman Amber Landing with 13 points and 13 rebounds, Carmen Carter added 11, Anna Claire Henderson had 10 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, Haley Cox 9, Jessica Whitehead 5, Tori Kennington 4 and Tori Hines 1.

Anna Kat Nowell led Leake (39-3) with 21 points, Hannah Peoples had 10, Mary Grace Key 7 and Chloe Thaggard 2.

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Post Game with MRA head coach Stephen Force

Prep holds off Central Private to advance

Southern Sports & Travel

Jackson Prep improved to 37-1 and advanced to today’s Overall Championship final with a 53-43 win over Central Private last night but the Patriots had to stave off a fourth quarter Rebel rally to secure a spot in the title game.

Prep got out to a 6-0 lead in a slow paced first quarter and held Central Private scoreless until a Mitch Van Asten 3-pointer from the corner at the 3:56 mark cut the Prep lead in half at 6-3.

Central Private would pull even with Jackson Prep at 8-8 on two Alex Overs free throws with 1:37 left in the quarter but Prep closed with five straight points to grab a 13-8 advantage at the end of one quarter of play.

(Above) Josh Williams (#23) of Jackson Prep slams home a dunk before halftime

Prep opened the second quarter with two momentum changers. Cade Noble drained a 3-pointer from the wing 22 seconds into the quarter and Josh Williams slammed home a dunk off a Central Private turnover to extend the Patriot’s lead to 18-8 with 6:54 remaining in the half.

Central Private stayed within striking distance as they narrowed the gap to 26-20 on a Piers Carroll bucket at the 1:59 mark but Prep converted three consecutive Rebel turnovers into baskets, one a Josh Williams baseline slam, to end the half with a 32-20 lead.

Central Private pulled to within six points at 34-28 at the 4:21 mark of the third quarter on an Alex Overs slam dunk, plus one, but Prep maintained a six point edge to close the third quarter on top 41-35.

Ryan Buchanan’s 15 foot jumper extended Prep’s lead to 43-35 to start the fourth quarter but Central Private pulled to within two points at 43-41 on consecutive 3-pointers from Lance Wicker and Mitch Van Astin with 5:38 remaining in regulation.

Jackson Prep capitalized on two Central Private turnovers as Buchanan drained a 17 foot jumper and De Graeber served up an assist to Thomas Dunbar to push the Patriot lead to 47-41 with 2:48 remaining.

(Above) Alex Overs (#12) of Central Private goes rim in the fourth quarter

Following two Central Private free throws that cut the Prep lead back to four points at 47-43 senior point guard De Graeber canned 6/7 free throws down the stretch to preserve a 53-43 win for Jackson Prep.

Jackson Prep was led by Josh Williams with a game high 13 points, Ryan Buchanan added 11 points and 9 rebounds, Thomas Dunbar 11, De Graeber 10 points, Cade Noble 6 and Wic Smith 2.

Simpson Anderson led Central Private (31-8) with 12 points, Piers Carroll added 11 points and 9 rebounds, Mitch Van Astin 9, Alex Overs 8 and Lance Wicker 3.

Marshall balanced attack too much for Hillcrest

Southern Sports & Travel

The Marshall Patriots used a 13-2 opening third quarter run and had five players score in double digits in a 74-56 win over Hillcrest in the Overall semi-finals last night in Clinton. Mississippi.

With the win Marshall, the Class AA State Champions, improved to 38-3 and will take on Class AAA powerhouse Jackson Prep in the championship game today at 3:30.

Hillcrest led throughout the opening quarter and Marshall wouldn’t grab their first lead until the 7:11 mark of the second quarter on a Peyton Lewis offensive rebound and put back to give the Pats a 15-14 lead.

Marshall’s lead was short lived as Hillcrest ripped off a 7-1 run to take their biggest lead at 22-15 with 4:41 remaining in the first half.

(Above) Peyton Lewis (#22) of Marshall launches a jump hook in the 1st half

Hillcrest would enjoy their last lead of the game at 24-22 with 2:47 left in the half as Marshall produced a 17-2 run fueled by the 3-point shooting of Brad Bennett and Peyton Lewis.

A Brad Bennett 3-pointer from the wing at the 1:12 mark capped the run to give Marshall an eight point cushion at 32-24 but Hillcrest would close the quarter with a Kenneth Davis basket and Grant Baker’s offensive rebound and put back to trim the deficit to 32-28 at the halfway point of the contest.

Marshall erupted in the opening minutes of the second half with a 13-2 run to take their biggest lead at 45-30 with 4:55 left in the third quarter.

Hillcrest managed to cut the deficit to ten points at 52-42 at close of the quarter and a Grant Baker bucket on a Hillcrest fast break got the Cougars to within seven points at 54-47 just one minute into the final quarter.

(Above) Dakota Dailey (#12) of Marshall drives for 2 of his 16 points on the night

Hillcrest would get no closer as Marshall finished the fourth quarter with a 20-9 run to advance to today’s Overall Championship final.

Marshall was led by junior Peyton Lewis with 19 points and 10 rebounds, freshman Dakota Dailey added 16, Brad Bennett 13, Chase Ferrell and Aaron McAlexander had 10 each and Kevin Fitzpatrick 6.

Lee Ogletree led Hillcrest (30-7) with 17 points and 10 rebounds, Grant Baker added 13, Kenneth Davis 12, Robert Johnson 10 and Curtis Westerfield and Remarcus Stalling 2 apiece.