By Brandon Shields
JACKSON — Anthony Carlyle is taking his alma mater to the state championship game.
Behind a stellar defensive strategy along with the play of Tamarion Hoover, Yazoo City got past South Pike 46-35 in a defensive slugfest in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Boys Class 4A Basketball Playoffs at the Mississippi Coliseum on Monday night.
The Indians (29-5) will play Raymond for the Class 4A state championship on Thursday at 7 p.m.
“We knew after watching film South Pike does a good job of playing great defense and like to control the tempo of the game and we just stuck to our principal,” Carlyle said. “We want to force single digit quarters and hold opponents to 38 points or less, so even on nights where shots don’t, we give ourselves a chance.”
Yazoo City never trailed.
Hoover hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to end the first quarter to give the Indians a 11-7 lead.
The second quarter was a defensive quarter as there was a combined 13 points that saw Yazoo City holding a 17-14 lead at halftime.
The Indians began the third quarter on a 7-3 run to extend their lead to 24-17.
Yazoo City held South Pike to seven points in the third quarter to hold a 29-22 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
A 8-2 run to begin the fourth quarter extend the Indian lead to 37-24. Damarion Winston hit a pair of free throws with 55 seconds to give the Indians a 41-31 lead to lead it.
“Hoover did a good of stepping up at the right time like he has done all season and he didn’t have his best day, but when we needed a big play, he made a big shot or lay-up,” Carlyle said. “I’ve been at Velma Jackson and Columbus and won state championships and that’s great, but it’s a dream come true to come back and take my hometown to state championship is extra special.”
Damarion Winston had 17 points to lead Yazoo City, while Hoover added 14 points for the Indians.
“We take a lot of pride on defense and holding the other team to single digits in each quarter and that’s more energy for us,” Hoover said. “It took a quarter for me to settle down and play my game and we got the job done. It’s a big experience to get on this stage and now we’re here and now we got go finish.”
Jamarion Smith had 13 points to lead South Pike (20-11).
“Yazoo City did a good job defensively controlling the ball, but we did a good job of getting into the lane but missed shots,” said South Pike coach Jake Reed. “We had somethings that just didn’t bounce our way tonight.”
Raymond 53, Pontotoc 40
Keymarius Lewis scored a game-high 23 points as the Rangers scored 24 points in the third quarter to help get past the Warriors in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Boys Class 4A playoffs on Monday night.
Raymond (27-6) will play Yazoo City for the Class 4A State Championship on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Rangers are in the 4A state title game for the seventh straight year.
E.J. Paymon added 16 points for Raymond.
Tyler Shephard had 20 points to lead Pontotoc, while Adin Johnson added nine points for the Warriors (30-3).
McEvans 80, Byers 69
Jalon Smith scored 20 points as the Warrios scored 26 points in the second quarter to take the lead and get past the Lions in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Boys Class 1A Basketball playoffs at the Mississippi Coliseum.
The Warriors (23-6) will face McAdams for the Class 1A State Championship on Thursday at 3 p.m.
Brenton Hall added 15 points for McEvans, while Jordan McDaniel and Brandon Hall each chipped in 12 points for the Warriors.
Michael James had a game-high 26 points to lead Byers, while Vincent Talley added 12 points for the Lions (24-3).
McAdams 63, West Union 51
Tyrick Davis scored 18 points as the Bulldogs used a big second and third quarter to get past the Eagles in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Boys Class 1A Basketball playoffs at the Mississippi Coliseum on Monday afternoon.
The Bulldogs (24-2) will face McEvans for the Class 1A State Championship on Thursday at 3 p.m.
Cameren Fleming added 16 points for McAdams, while Jacquese Greer chipped in 15 points for the Bulldogs.
Cole Willard had a game-high 19 points to lead West Union, while Ben Carter added eighgt points for the Eagles (26-6).
Girls
Pontotoc 51, Quitman 46
The Lady Warriors used a fast first quarter that saw Pontotoc hit five three-pointers to help hold off the Lady Panthers in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Class 4A Basketball playoffs at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Pontotoc (31-3) will face Louisville for the Class 4A State Championship on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Sadie Stegall had 12 points to lead the Lady Warriors, while Channing Lane added 11 points and Ella Hill and Kori Ware eached chipped in 10 points for Pontotoc.
Aaliyah Nixon had a game-high 21 points to lead Quitman, while Audriana Harris added 14 points for the Lady Panthers (22-11).
Louisville 61, Raymond 58
Jacylin Houston scored a game-high 23 points as the Lady Wildcats used a fourth quarter rally to get past the Lady Rangers in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Class 4A Basketball playoffs at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Louisville (29-3) will face Pontotoc for the Class 4A State Championship on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Aniyah Hunter added 17 points and Keeli Latham chipped in 10 points for Louisville.
Leah Sutton had 17 points to lead Raymond, while De’Asia Franklin added 13 points for the Lady Rangers (25-6).
Ingomar 37, Simmons 28
Macie Phifer scored a game-high 13 points as the Lady Falcons held off the Lady Devilettes in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Class 1A Basketball playoffs at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Ingomar (36-1) will face Biggersville for the Class 1A State Championship on Thursday at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Daylen Grisham added nine points for Ingomar.
Akiah Prince had 10 points to lead Simmons (23-3).
Biggersville 63, Bay Springs 49
Hannah Seago had 17 points as the Lady Lions used a big first quarter to get past the Lady Bulldogs in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Class 1A Basketball playoffs at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Biggersville (25-5) will face Ingomar for the Class 1A State Championship on Thursday at 1 p.m.
Asia Stafford added 15 points and Leileigh Moody chipped in 14 points for the Lady Lions.
Zaria Keyes and Anna Patterson each had 19 points to lead Bay Springs (23-8).