by Hunter Dawkins, Publisher/Owner – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm

POPLARVILLE (GG) — The Pass Christian Pirates couldn’t find a bucket when it needed Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Marvin R. White Arena in Poplarville, Mississippi on the Pearl River Community College campus and lost to the Morton Panthers 38-32.  This loss ended the season for the Pirates (22-10, 10-0) for the second consecutive year in the MHSAA 4A State Quarterfinals as Pass Christian lost to the Raymond Rangers in last year’s chance.  

Scoring Summary
Jumping on the scoreboard quickly, the Pirates opened up with a quick layup by Senior Center Jonathan Jackson.  The Morton Panthers countered with a few baskets, however, Pass Christian answered every made basket.  Kyran Laneaux led the Pirates during the frame, knocking down three jump shots for a Pass Christian 14-13 lead at the end of the first period.
The second period was Morton’s time to slow down the game and set up a 2-3 zone defense.  With this installation, Pass Christian could not find a basket and gave up multiple turnovers to score only three points.  The halftime score was in favor of Morton 20-17.
Coming out of the gates, the Pirates used their transition play more effectively, as Point Guard Perry Williams drove to the basket a few times along with giving a few quick jumpers from Jackson for a 29-28 Pass Christian lead after three.
Inside of two minutes and a tie ballgame, a Pass Christian turnover led to a 6-0 run by the Panthers.  With just under 1:30 left, Williams missed a three point basket to cut the lead and the game was essentially over as the Panthers’ protection of the ball was inevitable.
What the Coach Said
During his first year, former D’Iberville and Moss Point Head Coach Robin Sikes kept the basketball history in Pass Christian alive and well.
“Two teams that deserved to be here,” said first year Pass Christian Head Basketball Coach Sikes, who brought the Pirates to the MHSAA 4A State Quarterfinals.  “From any level down, you can’t give a team extra possessions.  The game is about makes or misses and we missed 14 layups.  Some of them were contested, but you have to be able to put the ball in the hole.”
The Pirates Basketball History
Since losing in the MHSAA State Championship in Jackson 14 years ago, the Pass Christian Pirates Boys Basketball team hasn’t returned to the capital city despite winning numerous district titles and reaching the state quarterfinals a few times.  Pass Christian does have a rich basketball history with a state championship in 2009 and not losing a district game in the last two years.
(All Photos by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via AP)