BROOKLYN – Sumrall turned in its best offensive performance of the season to open the Region 7-4A district tournament. The effort led to the Bobcats handing rival Purvis an 83-69 loss to end the Tornados' season on Tuesday night.
From the start, Sumrall's offense quickly clicked, with the Bobcats jumping out to a 12-0 lead. However, Purvis responded with a 10-0 run and cut the deficit to 14-13 at the end of the first quarter.
"We wanted a fast start," Sumrall coach Eric Cooper said. "We wanted to try and get out and get up on them and take the spirit away from them. We knew that if we gave them a little bit of hope that they would come back, and it would be a hard-fought game, and that's what it was.
"We had to slow down. I thought a lot of it was that we were going too fast. We beat ourselves a lot. That's one thing we have had a problem with this year. We are sometimes our worst enemy."
Sumrall (14-9) pushed the game's tempo in the second quarter and came up with numerous points in the fast break. This allowed the Bobcats to go on a 14-2 run and erupt to score 29 points in the quarter and go up 43-30 at the half.
"The biggest adjustment was for us to settle down," Cooper said. "We wanted to settle down and pick up the intensity on the defensive end of the floor. Once we did that, that opened us to do what we wanted to do, which is run the floor, get the tempo and fast pace going, and then get some points under the rim."
Sumrall then built as much as a 30-point lead in the third quarter and went up 62-32 after going on a 16-0 run to open the second half.
"I give them credit," Purvis coach Matthew Lofton said. "I thought they made some tough shots. We felt like we left a few plays out there. I'm really proud of my kids. I'm proud of the runs that we made. We cut it to eight late in the fourth, and that shows the character of our kids. They are a joy to coach."
Despite the massive deficit, the Tornados managed to narrow the deficit to eight points in the fourth quarter, but the effort was too little too late.
"Our guys have so much resiliency," Lofton said. "They love each other and play hard for each other. We just wanted to try and trap and make the game chaotic and make a couple of nice plays to get it to eight, but we kind of just ran out of time."
The Bobcats were led by Devontae Crockett, who scored 24 points, and Jaycree Washington scored 20 points. In addition, DaMorris Merick added 12 points, and William Hodges put up 11 points.
For Purvis, Jacoby Robinson scored 26 points, while Bredren Elenus scored 25 points.
The Tornados post an improved record for a third straight year as they finish the season 11-13.
"We've been able to improve every year," Lofton said. "That was my message to the seniors and thanking them for elevating our program and helping us take another step."
Sumrall advances to the semifinal round of the tournament and now advance to play the host team and top-seeded Forrest County Agricultural on Thursday.
"They are a well-coached team," said Cooper on facing FCAHS. "Coach (Scott) Landry has done a great job with them. Their point guard is unshakeable, and their supporting cast is amazing. It's going to be a fun game. I hope we show up and give them a good fight."
