Picayune boys advance with win at Wayne County; Girls season ends at West Jones
The Picayune Maroon Tide went on the road to Waynesboro and got a heart stopping 50-46 win over Wayne County to put Picayune in the Elite 8 of the Class 5A boys basketball tournament.
Picayune trailed 12-10 after the first quarter and fell behind 23-15 with 2:30 left in the second quarter.
Marvun Arnold drained a three pointer, Sergio Williams scored on a spin move that would have made the Jackson Five jealous, and Kobe Jones hit a three ball from behind the arc to tie the game at 23-23. Wayne County got two free throws from Garius Ray to take the lead 25-23 with :06 left in the quarter. Picayune got the ball up the court and Derai Jones launched a three point shot from the right corner just before the buzzer that went in to give Picayune a 26-25 half time lead.
Marvun Arnold scores left handed above and right handed below.
In the third quarter, Arnold scored 12 points in the third quarter scoring on jump shots with his left hand and his right hand to the amazement of the War Eagle crowd. Derai Jones added another three pointer to Picayune up 41-29. But Wayne County didn’t fade away.
The War Eagles chipped away behind 8 points from Devonta Pittman and cut the lead to six points with 2:18 left. But a three point shot by Kobe Jones pushed it to 50-41 and Picayune held on the advance to the next round against Forest Hill on the road on Tuesday.
Sergio Williams (13) defends a shot by Wayne County's Devonta Pittman
Coach Eric Vianney said he told his team it was crunch time during halftime.
“I told them that their whole season was on the line. They responded and we were able to win a very tough game against a very good team on their home court. I am very proud of our guys tonight.”
Derai Jones (with the ball) drives past Wayne County defenders
Kobe Jones raises his hands to let Derai Jones know "I'm open!"
Wayne County (17-12) was led by Pittman with 12 points, Terrace Jones and Garius Ray added 10 points each.
Arnold led Picayune with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots. Kobe Jones finished with 12 points and Sergio Williams added 10 points for the Maroon Tide (20-11). Derai Jones had 9 points and played stellar defense against the War Eagle guards in the second half.
Girls: West Jones 49 Picayune 16
West Jones (27-0) stayed unbeaten by defeating Picayune 49-16. The Lady Tide (10-18) got 13 points from Camille Culpepper (pictured below) in her last game for Picayune. Two other seniors ended their career as well, Taileshia Quinn and Shamiah Bridges who was injured almost the whole season.
