A third quarter spurt keyed Mt. Olive’s 70-57 victory over Ethel in the opening round of the MHSAA 1A playoffs, ending the Tigers’ season.
A close first half ended with Mt. Olive ahead 35-30. It was 37-33 early in the third quarter before Mt. Olive went on a 16-2 run for a 53-35 lead.
Ethel rallied in the fourth quarter, scoring nine straight points to cut the deficit to 60-52 midway through the period, but could not get any closer as Mt. Olive pulled away for the victory.
Ethel led only once and very briefly. Sacarrio Merritt made a basket at the first quarter buzzer to pull the Tigers within six at 20-14. The second quarter began with a three-pointer by Shikell Lowrey, a basket by Anton Clark and two free throws by Merritt to give the Tigers a 21-20 lead.
Mt. Olive regained the lead when Javeon Gordon connected from three-point range. Ethel managed to tie the score at 25-25 on two straight baskets by Izik Stewart before a basket by Desmon Keyes put the Pirates ahead to stay.
Merritt scored a game-high 28 points, Stewart had 16. Marcus Baggett led Mt. Olive with 24 points. He had plenty of help from Keyes with 17 points and Gordon with 16. The Pirates’ point total is a season high. The previous best was 65 in a win over Mize.
Ethel was second behind West Lowndes I Region 5-1A for the both the regular season and the tournament. Mt. Olive was third in 7-1A.
