It came down to the final moments for Coahoma Early College High School at home Tuesday night, but a 56-49 win at home in a division matchup against North Panola put them in second place in district competition.
The Tigers (13-4, 2-1) led 48-46 with 2:55 remaining in the fourth quarter when Trey Payno connected on a 2-pointer to extend the lead to 50-46.
A Payno steal followed by a long pass to Hertavious Williams to finish the possession once again put the Tigers ahead 52-48 with 1:40 remaining in the contest.
Thomas Williams Jr., who had four fouls on the night, came through when it mattered most with two free throws with 36.9 seconds to play to extend the lead to 54-49.
Another two free throws from Hertavious Williams with 25.1 seconds to play extended the lead to 56-49 and sealed the deal.
Payno had 16 points and four assists for CECHS; Willie Eagins had six points and four rebounds; Hertavious Williams had 11 points, three rebounds and five assists; Thomas Williams Jr. had eight points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals; Rashard McCray had seven points and six rebounds; Detavion Coley had four points and four rebounds; and Jermell Daniels had four points and eight rebounds.
The Lady Tigers, now 8-7 on the season, also improved to 2-1 in district play with a 64-50 home win against North Panola Tuesday night.
The two teams were neck-and-neck for much of the first half, but the Lady Tigers pulled away during the third quarter and led by as much as 20 down the stretch.
A Mykerria Jones 2-pointer gave the Lady Tigers a 56-36 lead with 4:14 remaining in the fourth quarter. A Nekyra Pittman 2-pointer with 5:35 to play began the 8-0 run that extended the advantage to 20 points for the Lady Tigers.
CECHS extended its advantage to double digits during the third quarter when Za'Rihha Green stole the ball and scored on a fast break.
That extended the Lady Tigers’ advantage to 39-29 with 3:09 to play in the third quarter.
The'Lesia Moore conntected on a 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter and extend CECHS’s lead to 46-33.
Jones had 10 points and four assists for the Lady Tigers, Green had six points and 10 steals; Pittman had a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds; Zykha Blanch also had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds; Moore had six points; Cebesha Brunt had four points and two blocks; and Aalyiah Davis had 10 points.
The Tigers and Lady Tigers are back in action Friday in a district matchup at home against Water Valley. The girls tip off at 6 p.m. with the boys following.
