Bears open Peggy Bain tourney with low-scoring victory

“Neither team shot it well. I’m not sure if it was because it was early or because we haven’t been in the gym,” Central boys’ coach Josh Harrison said. “I thought Owen (Depoyster) did a good job coming off the bench and leading us in scoring. He provided a good spark off the bench. We tried to play at least ten bodies in that one since we’re playing two games today.”

Independence led 5-4 at the end of a slow first quarter with Central’s only points coming from a Landon Powers basket and a pair of free throws from Andrew Williams.

They picked it up in the second quarter, outscoring Independence 11-10 to tie the game up at the half. Owen Depoyster came off the bench for a pair of big baskets, and Williams sank a three and had five points in the second.

The Bears held a slim 29-28 lead at the end of the third quarter. Drake Williams had the only three-point basket of the quarter, and Depoyster added another couple of baskets with Wilson McDonald and Powers also scoring during the run.

Independence built up a 38-36 lead with just under two minutes to go but Depoyster’s layup and McDonald’s three-pointer pushed the Bears ahead in the final minutes.

Depoyster came off the bench to lead Alcorn Central in scoring with his 13 points. Andrew Williams added another nine points.

Other Peggy Bain Tournament scores (G) Biggersville 53, Mantachie 49

In a tight game, the Lady Lions led 14-10 at the end of the first and 25-20 at the half. Mantachie kept it close and trailed by just two at 51-49 with 18 seconds to go before the Lady Lions sealed the win. Asia Stafford had a game-high 20 points, followed by 15 from Hannah Seago and 13 from Leileigh Moody as the Lady Lions improve to 9-2 on the season. Biggersville went 21 of 31 from the free throw line, including a perfect 11 for 11 in the first half.

(B) Biggersville 52, Northpoint Christian 49

In another tightly contested game, Northpoint Christian outscored the Lions in the second half, but an early lead proved to be the difference. The Lions led 10-2 early in the game but it was a one-point game at the end of the first. They built up a double-digit lead twice in the first half, including off a Brooks Seago three with 1:39 left in the second quarter. Biggersville led 40-33 at the end of the third quarter. Tre Gunn led the Lions with 14 points, followed by 12 from Jathan Hatch. Seago finished with nine points and took seven charges.

(G) Kossuth 55, Southaven 54Anna Greene hit a free throw for the win, and Eva Null led the Lady Aggies with 13 points in the win. Jessica Hughes scored 11 off the bench. Greene, Dacy Kate Marsh and Aven Mathis all had nine points.

(B) Nettleton 72, Tishomingo County

Ayden McDeavitt paced the Braves with 18 points in the loss. Kayson McNutt added 10 points.

Also on Wednesday (G) Crockett County 62, Corinth 37

Zakiah Gwyn finished with 10 points in the loss at the Hub City Classic in Jackson.

(B) Corinth 62, Northside 50

Also in Hub City Classic, Broderick Alexander and Devon Jones had 12 points apiece for the Warriors. Jeremiah Baker added 10 points off the bench.

(G) McNairy Central 55, Mitchell 17

The Lady Bobcats picked up the dominating win at the Hub City Classic. Anna Clayton was the only player in double figures with her 10 points, but Maddie Kirk finished with eight. Brooklyn Hopkins and Alli Austin added seven each, while Biana Davis and Bailee Shelton both scored six points.

(B) Baldwyn 56, Thrasher 28

Justin McCoy led Thrasher with nine points in the loss.

(G) Baldwyn 56, Thrasher 31

Brookelyn Roberts had 13 points for the Lady Rebels.