St. Martin, Gulfport pick up wins on 1st day of Joe Barlow Invitational

ST. MARTIN -- Jamuel Brooks hit a basket and free throw with 30 seconds left in the game to give three-time defending Class 3A boys state champs Velma Jackson a 39-37 win over Biloxi in the opening game of the Joe Barlow Thanksgiving Invitational Monday.

Brooks followed his free throw with two big plays off the defensive glass.

Biloxi came down the court but found getting the ball inside the Falcons' defense difficult. An impatient deep 3-pointer missed the goal and Brooks pulled down the rebound only to pick up a traveling call, giving the Indians one final chance.

Again the Falcons defense prevented penetration forcing a second long three. Again, the shot missed and Brooks came up with the rebound. This time, though, Velma Jackson (3-1) was able to hold onto the ball and run out the clock.

"I just wanted to win," said Brooks of his play over the final 30 seconds.

"They have a really good team," said Biloxi coach Seber Windham of the Falcons. "They play a 2-3 zone and we couldn't buy a shot. We couldn't make the big shot down the stretch."

At the half, Velma Jackson led 15-8 after Biloxi couldn't score in the first 10 minutes.

"Both teams came out flat," said Falcons coach Anthony Carlyle, who noted the gym was still filling up at tip off. "The second half was much better."

"It's hard to get focused in an empty gym," Windham said. After noting the Indians (2-2) play B.C. Rain in the opener today and Laurel in the opener Wednesday, Windham said, "We have to figure it out. We play at 5:30 the next two days."

After an even third quarter, Biloxi gained momentum in the fourth behind a pair of treys from Mertell Turner and a 3-pointer and two free throws by Jaylon Chiles, taking a one-point lead into the final minute.

However, Robert Kendrick scored five points and Nikolas Weatherspoon four to keep Velma Jackson close and set up Brooks play in the final 30 seconds.

For Velma Jackson, who has yet to play a team below Class 5A this season, the tournament is a chance to play larger schools.

For Biloxi, particularly until Fred Ramsey can return from injury, the tournament gives the Indians a chance to work on their identity.

"We haven't put four quarters together this year," Windham said, noting the two Indian losses are by a combined three points. "We are playing different lineups, different players together to find team chemistry."

Brooks and Weatherspoon had 13 points each to pace Velma Jackson. Turner had 11 for Biloxi.

Gulfport 65, Laurel 49: Kevin Oney hit a pair of 3-pointers, including one at the buzzer, as the Admirals used a 17-5 run over the second quarter to take control of the second game of the day on Monday.

Led by Oney's 12 first-half points, Gulfport led 38-18 at the half and never looked back, leading by as many as 30 points in the third quarter.

Gulfport coach Owen Miller said the Gulfport advantage started on defence and continued on the boards.

"We had a lot of transition baskets," Miller said as the Gulfport offense fed off their defensive and rebounding dominance. "We were able to make shots early. When you see shots going in, that makes it easier."

Oney finished with 14 points to lead an eight-deep Admirals scoring chart. Alton Connerly added 11 points and Raekwon Murphy scored 10 points in the balanced Gulfport attack.

Devon Benson led all scorers with 20 points for the Tornadoes.

St. Martin 85, B.C. Rain 49: Stacee St. Julian scored 28 points and recorded five assists as the Yellow Jackets (6-0) won easily.

However, St. Martin coach Charlie Pavlus pointed to Kaleb Clark, who drew three charges and recorded two dunks, as the Yellow Jacket spark.

"I thought we started slowly tonight, but he brought the energy up tonight," Pavlus said.

Pavlus said St. Julian was a "fabulous player. Everywhere he steps on the floor, he's a difference maker."

Jalen Lett added 16 points as nine Yellow Jackets scored. Johnnelius Anderson and Jonte Moultrie scored 10 points each for St. Martin.

Roderick Kirksey paced B.C. Rain with 10 points.

Play continues Tuesday starting at 5:30 pm when Biloxi takes on B.C. Rain. Gulfport will face Velma Jackson in the second game at 7 p.m. with St. Martin playing Laurel in the nightcap at 8:30 p.m.

This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 10:07 PM with the headline "St. Martin, Gulfport pick up wins on 1st day of Joe Barlow Invitational."