by Joseph W. Gex II & Hunter Dawkins
On Friday, Moss Point made a trip to Pass Christian for a Division 8-4A contest.
In the girls game, the Lady Tigers slipped past the Lady Pirates (9-10) 27-22.
It was a tight game the whole way through with both teams exhibiting stingy defense and forcing difficult shots.
The score remained 2-1 in favor of Moss Point for the majority of the first period until Moss Point closed the period with a 6-2 run. Haleigh Haynes of Pass Christian sank two free throws with two seconds remaining in the opening period to cut the lead to 8-5.
The second period saw both teams score just four points. Haynes sank a bucket with roughly 45 seconds left to make the score at intermission 12-9.
The second half was more of the same defensive battle as in the first half.
Pass Christian head coach Greta Ainsworth stated, “This was a defensive game by both teams. We both had sluggish play in the backcourt. Moss Point has some athletic post players that gave us some trouble. I was proud of the effort we gave on Senior Night as we honored our four seniors – Lanae Dedeaux, Kellie Wilson, Shaunacy Valdez, and Katherine Newman.”
Kylah Bell and Haleigh Haynes each had seven points.
In the boys game, the Pirates jumped out to a 28-16 lead at intermission and held the difference throughout the second half for a 46-33 win over Moss Point.
Defensive pressure and patience on the offensive end of the floor provided the Pirates their choice of shots.
The Pirates (12-6, 3-1) led by as much as 21 points in the second half.
Pass Christian head coach Buddy Kennedy added, “I thought we were solid defensively tonight. We game planned for them tonight after playing them once already. Over the course of the season, we have developed a mental toughness on both ends of the court which is now helping us play through adversity. I was proud of our effort this evening but we can be better offensively. We have a lot of basketball in front of us before the tournament begins.”
Darion Lee and Lauren Jaynes each had 12 points to pace Pass Christian while Carter Bond added eight points.
