Kosciusko and McAdams won their opening round playoff games Tuesday.
Kosciusko recovered from a slow start to defeat Ripley 55-47 in a 4A game. McAdams breezed to an 80-58 victory over Sacred Heart on 1A play.
Kosciusko
The Whippets first eight possessions resulted in three missed shots, four turnovers a couple af missed free free throws and a 9-0 deficit.
Coach Eleazarus Greenleaf felt the lengthy layoff due to last week’s winter weather was a contributing factor.
“We hadn’t played in a week and a half. Once we got to doing what we normally do, play defense and getting out running, the game turned around for us.”
The Whippets went on a 13-0 run, led 13-11 after one quarter and 26-24 at the half that saw five lead changes.
The first half was a shootout between the two number 10s. Albert McDonald, 10 for Ripley, had 15 first half points and Antonio Harmon, Kosciusko’s 10, had 14. Both finished with 23.
The Whippets led by as much as nine in the second half, but Ripley pulled within 49-45 with a minute left.
Two layups by Harmon and one by Davion Roby in the final when Kosciusko was able to beat Ripley’s full count pressure enabled the Whippets to seal the victory.
Harmon started on the bench, but the game turned when he took the court.
“He’s been a spark off the bench,” Greenleaf said. “We tried to start him but he said no, he doesn’t want to start. He’s a very unselfish kid.”
JaQuan Hall had 15 points for Kosciusko.
Kosciusko will play Yazoo City or Caledonia Thursday. “It’s a quick turnaround so I have to get on the phone and get some film,” Greenleaf said.
McAdams
Sacred Heart’s only lead was 3-2 when Jack Posey hit a three-point shot for the Crusaders a minute into the game.
McAdams then took command with a 14-0 run that included two baskets by Jaylan Perteet and three pointers by Jalena Greer and Cameron Fleming.
The Bulldogs led 27-10 after one quarter and 46-23 at the half.
Perteet led four Bulldogs in double figures with 20 points. Fleming had 16 points, Greer 13 and Tyrick Davis 11. Luke West scored 18 points for Sacred Heart.
