By Malik Gardner

PHS Sports

The start of a new year has been very busy for the Prentiss High School basketball teams. The first game of 2014 was the Jefferson County Holiday Tournament on January 2-4. The boys went 1-2 with a win over Amite County and losses against Jefferson County and Hinds AHS. The girls lost all three games versus Jefferson County, Hinds AHS, and Amite County.

On January 7, Prentiss continued district play against the Morton Panthers. The girls’ game was back and forth from the very beginning. They changed leads throughout the whole first half. In the second half, the Lady Bulldogs tried to pull away, but Morton would make a surge to pull them right back into the game. The game was tied 50-50 with a minute left. Joy Powell would hit a clutch 3 to put the Lady Bulldogs up. After a Lady Panther turnover, they had to foul to prolong the game. Alexus Williams made one free throw to seal the game for Prentiss. Final score was 54-50.

The boys’ game would start off slow. Neither team could score in the first four minutes of the game. The quarter would end just 10-8 in favor of Prentiss. The Bulldogs’ scoring would pick up behind the play of James Hawthorne. At the end of the second quarter, the score was still tight 21-17. The third quarter was more intense and physical. In the fourth, Prentiss started to pull away. With great team play, the Bulldogs won the game 53-41.

James Hawthorne – 15 pts

Donte Ford – 12 pts

Deanyte Crockett – 10 pts

On Friday, Prentiss traveled to Hinds Agricultural High School in Uttica. The girls’ game started very sloppy with a lot of turnovers. The girls would settle down and start to play ball. At the half, Prentiss was down by two points. The second half would be close and physical. They changed leads throughout the quarter. With 30 seconds left in the fourth, Prentiss had a chance to tie the game up. As time expired, Joy Powell missed a 3-pointer that would have tied the game up. Final score was 53-50 in favor of Hinds AHS.

Myyah West – 18 pts

The boys’ game was hype from the beginning. Prentiss started out hot going on an 8-0 run to start the game. The boys would keep up this intensity throughout the first half. Prentiss was up entering the third quarter. Hinds AHS would pull off after a technique foul given to Coach Morgan for arguing with the referee. The fourth quarter would belong to Hinds AHS. They would go on to win 59-45.

James Hawthorne – 18 pts

Prentiss boys are now 2-0 in district and the girls are 1-1 in district. The Bulldogs will continue district play with two games at home. On January 14, Prentiss will host the St. Andrew Saints, and on January 17, the Bulldogs will host the Velma Jackson Falcons. Come out and support the Bulldogs!