by Hunter Dawkins
Tuesday night at West Harrison High School Gym, the Moss Point Tigers arrived with intent for a showdown. Indeed, they got one.
With both Hurricane teams coming in with a good start for the 2018-19 basketball season, each game was tight, but the West Harrison Girls Team won 45-41 and the Boys were victorious 46-43.
GIRLS: West Harrison 45-41
With a slim lead at the half 20-18, the Lady Hurricanes (2-1) jumped out to a 12-point third period lead 40-28 highlighted by seven points from senior guard Allanah Turner.
Poise was a determining factor, as they could not find the basket in the final period. Defense and free-throws came up big for the Lady Hurricanes securing the victory.
“We’ve been playing pretty good defense and I think we did tonight,” West Harrison Lady Hurricanes Girls Basketball Coach Otis Gates. “We kind of got tentative, let them get back in the ball game, but held on.”
Turner led all scorers with 11 points.
BOYS: West Harrison 46-43
A back-and-forth boxing match was the results with the boys game. After West Harrison (3-1) took the lead with a 3-point jumper from Hurricanes senior guard Ashton Hawkins with 5:50 left in the third period, the lead never changed.
Despite being ahead by two points at the half and losing the third period score by one, the Hurricanes hit 7/9 free throws in the fourth to seal the win.
“Well hard fought win for us, as Moss Point has great athleticism,” said West Harrison Hurricanes Head Basketball Coach Tommy Seawright. “We had to keep battling and fought hard. Just glad the boys fought hard.”
Hawkins led the scoring with 21 points, including four 3-point baskets.
Both West Harrison teams play Hancock High School this Friday.
