Every week, it seems like something crazy happens in the world of sports. In the world of the Pine Belt, basketball upsets were the biggest highlight. If you had told me that Oak Grove and Hattiesburg would have lost before reaching South State, I would not have believed you.
Even though Oak Grove had a tough loss to Harrison Central, in my book, Hattiesburg’s loss stings way more. Oak Grove graduates only one starter while in comparison, Hattiesburg loses 11 seniors, with four of them as regular starters.
But Hattiesburg wasn’t just beaten, they were dealt a bad hand before the game with injuries. Don’t get me wrong, Wingfield played what would be a perfect game. But with Chris Lewis out and Nick Walker playing with a finger injury, more was put on Cameron Brown’s shoulders, which made the Tigers’ offense predictable.
Many of those Hattiesburg starters had been regular starters since their sophomore years. The history book will remember Hattiesburg’s two championship teams as the two greatest teams in school history with this season’s team being left out. In the last three years, Hattiesburg posted a 67-27 record while winning the district tournament the past three seasons. The Tigers’ 2020 squad had an absurd amount of talent that will likely be forgotten, but that’s the ugly side of sports I suppose.
Both Lumberton teams losing was something else I didn’t expect and Sacred Heart’s historical run I’m sure has raised eyebrows. Sacred Heart has been fortunate to have an easy bracket, but this young team could very well head to South State and possibly kickstart a new program on campus with a legacy.
Another team I didn’t think would get this far is the Purvis girls. The Tornados have found momentum and could also be in South State after pulling off a string of upsets the past week. Everyone has talked about what Matt O’Keefe has done with Sacred Heart, as they should, but Purvis coach Michael Thornton has turned a losing Purvis program into a force.
Let’s not forget PCS. I knew the Bobcats had a good team, but their run in the MAIS tournament has gone longer than and deeper than what most people expected, including myself.
I have had my fair share of wrong picks in this basketball bracket, but I have had the North Forrest boys and Hattiesburg girls pegged. Hope I don’t put the jinx on you guys.
While the high school basketball playoff bracket has been March Madness in February, high school baseball has started up or at least has tried.
Mississippi weather conditions and baseball and softball are already fighting each other for dominance, with the weather prevailing as usual. Teams aren’t able to practice and non-district games have been more like scrimmages for most teams. It’s caused headaches for baseball schedules as well as mine.
Southern Miss baseball coach Scott Berry’s idea to get a turf installed is quickly paying itself off. The Golden Eagles would have probably played two doubleheaders and had canceled a game already if the school was using the old field. It makes you wonder if the high school teams will quickly fall into that trend.
The week has barely started and baseball and softball will be battling the elements, and I’m willing to bet the high school basketball playoffs will have my jaw on the ground again.
Wish us all luck.
For the latest on area sports follow Andrew on Twitter via @PineBeltSPORTS or email him: andrew@PineBeltSPORTS.com
Every week, it seems like something crazy happens in the world of sports. In the world of the Pine Belt, basketball upsets were the biggest highlight. If you had told me that Oak Grove and Hattiesburg would have lost before reaching the semfinals, I would not have believed you.
Even though Oak Grove had a tough loss to Harrison Central, in my book, Hattiesburg’s loss stings way more. Oak Grove graduates only one starter while in comparison, Hattiesburg loses 11 seniors, with four of them as regular starters.
But Hattiesburg wasn’t just beaten, they were dealt a bad hand before the game with injuries. Don’t get me wrong, Wingfield played what would be a perfect game. But with Chris Lewis out and Nick Walker playing with a finger injury, more was put on Cameron Brown’s shoulders, which made the Tigers’ offense predictable.
Many of those Hattiesburg starters had been regular starters since their sophomore years. The history book will remember Hattiesburg’s two championship teams as the two greatest teams in school history with this season’s team being left out. In the last three years, Hattiesburg posted a 67-27 record while winning the district tournament the past three seasons. The Tigers’ 2020 squad had an absurd amount of talent that will likely be forgotten, but that’s the ugly side of sports I suppose.
Both Lumberton teams losing was something else I didn’t expect and Sacred Heart’s historical run I’m sure has raised eyebrows. Sacred Heart has been fortunate to have an easy bracket, but this young team could very well head to South State and possibly kickstart a new program on campus with a legacy.
Another team I didn’t think would get this far is the Purvis girls. The Tornados have found momentum and could also be in the semis after pulling off a string of upsets the past week. Everyone has talked about what Matt O’Keefe has done with Sacred Heart, as they should, but Purvis coach Michael Thornton has turned a losing Purvis program into a force.
Let’s not forget PCS. I knew the Bobcats had a good team, but their run in the MAIS tournament has gone longer than and deeper than what most people expected, including myself.
I have had my fair share of wrong picks in this basketball bracket, but I have had the North Forrest boys and Hattiesburg girls pegged. Hope I don’t put the jinx on you guys.
While the high school basketball playoff bracket has been March Madness in February, high school baseball has started up or at least has tried.
Mississippi weather conditions and baseball and softball are already fighting each other for dominance, with the weather prevailing as usual. Teams aren’t able to practice and non-district games have been more like scrimmages for most teams. It’s caused headaches for baseball schedules as well as mine.
Southern Miss baseball coach Scott Berry’s idea to get a turf installed is quickly paying itself off. The Golden Eagles would have probably played two doubleheaders and had canceled a game already if the school was using the old field. It makes you wonder if the high school teams will quickly fall into that trend.
The week has barely started and baseball and softball will be battling the elements, and I’m willing to bet the high school basketball playoffs will have my jaw on the ground again.
Wish us all luck.
For the latest on area sports follow Andrew on Twitter via @PineBeltSPORTS or email him: andrew@PineBeltSPORTS.com
