Ocean Springs will face Picayune girls Thursday at Smoothie King Center

Ocean Springs and Picayune will play a girls' basketball game in the Smoothie King Center at 1 p.m. Thursday.

The Ocean Springs-Picayune contest is part of the New Orleans Pelicans' Court of Dreams Program, which allows prep teams in a chance to play in a NBA Arena.

"It's an amazing opportunity for our program," Ocean Springs coach LaShonda Smith said. "We're looking forward to playing in a NBA-type venue. It will be a different type of atmosphere for our players. I have some kids that aspire to play college basketball someday. We're all excited to playing there."

Ocean Springs (15-4) is led by D.J. Blackston, who averages 12 points and a Coast-leading 5.2 steals a game.

Picayune guard Maya Whitehead has made the Sun Herald's All-South Mississippi basketball team the last two seasons. The Maroon Tide is 8-4.

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 4:08 PM with the headline "Ocean Springs will face Picayune girls Thursday at Smoothie King Center ."