Harrison Central knocks down upset wins over Gulfport

LYMAN -- Gulfport and Harrison Central know that when their teams clash on the hardwood, they should prepare for a high-energy contest.

That's what made No. 1 Gulfport's 76-71 loss at No. 8 Harrison Central all the more frustrating for Admirals coach Owen Miller.

"We just weren't ready to play. Give them credit," he said. "They played much harder than us. It was more important to them than us and in return we lost."

The game was close throughout with neither team gaining much of an advantage.

Gulfport (12-7, 0-1 Region 8-6A) jumped out to an early 14-6 advantage in the first quarter thanks to an 8-0 run. Harrison Central (10-9, 2-0) chipped away at the lead and eventually pulled ahead 32-24 on a 13-0 run mid-way through the second quarter.

The two sides again traded leads late in the third quarter and into the fourth, but a 3-pointer from the top of the arc by former Admiral Biscuit Floyd tied the game 56-56.

Another 3 from Floyd, sandwiched between baskets from Dayquan Perkins and Artrell Petties, put HCHS ahead 63-56 and the Admirals never regained the lead.

"Our team never gave up. We just kept fighting, fighting, fighting. When Gulfport made a run, we kept coming back and making plays," HCHS coach Boo Hardy said. "Gulfport is a good team and they're going to make plays. But we made plays also and responded."

When the two sides met in Gulfport's Hardwood Holiday Classic, the Admirals dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Red Rebels by 24 in the 77-68 game. Friday, it was the Red Rebels who capitalized on second chances to win their second 8-6A game to open their region schedule.

"I don't know what it was tonight, but they were just tipping the ball around the rim and we just stood there, watching. They're bouncing and we have two feet on the floor," Miller said. "That just goes back to the game being important -- and that's on me. It wasn't important tonight, and that's coaching."

The Red Rebels have played up and down during their non-region slate. Floyd feels Friday's win may jumpstart his team.

"It means a lot. I feel like we can go on a streak after it," he said. "We've been banged up. We still have other weapons coming on, other pieces for the puzzle."

Floyd finished with a game-high 23 points. Whitworth and Perkins rounded out Harrison Central's scoring leaders with 16 and 13 points respectively.

Miles Daniels and Tyrell McArthur each had 15 points for Gulfport, with Carl Terrell and Keevon Oney scoring 10 points apiece.

No. 6 Harrison Central girls 39, No. 5 Gulfport 35: Gulfport's girls had Friday's game well in control for three quarters and looked like they were going to run away with the Region 8-6A showdown.

Then the fourth quarter happened.

Harrison Central (12-6, 2-0) out-scored Gulfport 20-2 in the final eight minutes to win in thrilling fashion.

"I was just proud of my girls," HCHS coach Nancy Ladner said. "They didn't quit and they didn't lay down."

Ladner said she had a heart to heart with her girls heading into the final frame.

"They're young and for some reason it takes us a couple of quarters to get started with confidence," she said. "They played defense hard the whole time, but I told them we can just walk up there, say 'the game is over and we don't want to play,' or we can make the last eight minutes worth it -- and they did."

Adyn Strickland and Teara Leshore led the rally in the fourth quarter and Keyshauna Johnson put the victory on ice with three free throws in the final seconds.

Chyna Allen scored a game-high 15 points for HCHS. Strickland and Leshore chipped in nine and seven points respectively.

Amyjah Hardnett led GHS (11-8, 0-1) with 10 points. Aarmanii McDaniel scored eight points.

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 11:47 PM with the headline "Harrison Central knocks down upset wins over Gulfport ."