Prep Hoops: Hancock takes down Harrison Central 49-31 in major girls match-up

By CURTIS ROCKWELL

Hancock’s Talina Bond surveys the court vs. Harrison Central Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Misty Ellington)

Harrison Central’s Yasmini Harper looks for a passing partner Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Misty Ellington)

PERKINSTON — Hancock and Harrison Central faced off in one of the most anticipated girls’ prep basketball games of the season so far Saturday afternoon.
And it was the Lady Hawks that remained unbeaten in the battle of two of the top programs in the state with a 49-31 win.
The win, during the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Classic at Dantzler Arena, moves Hancock to a perfect 13-0 on the season and was the final game for the Lady Hawks of head coach Jamie Sisco before the Christmas break.

Harrison Central’s Michelle Jackson looks for working room in the lane vs. Hancock Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Misty Ellington)

Harrison Central’s Anaisha Carriere (left) and Hanock’s Jordan Bishop leap for the opening tip-off Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Misty Ellington)

Harrison Central’s Michelle Jackson surveys the action Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Misty Ellington)

It was also the fourth win of the season for the Class 6A Lady Hawks over a member of Region 4-7A this season, coming on the heels of decisions over Ocean Springs, St. Martin and D’Iberville as well. Harrison Central dropped to 10-2 overall and it marked the second loss of the week for the Lady Red Rebels after a loss to Biloxi on Tuesday snapped their nine-game win streak to open the season.
In addition, Hancock was coming off a big league win on he road over Pascagoula Friday night to move to 3-0 in league play.
“Super proud of our players and the effort they gave playing back-to-back days, Sisco said. “I felt like the game could possibly be a fast-paced game and it turned out to be a slow grind-it-out type game. Harrison Central had great pressure on our ball handlers, but our ability to move without the ball gave us scoring chances that we cashed in.”

Harrison Central’s Larissa hubbard puts a shot up in the lane as Hancock’s Anslee James defends Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Misty Ellington)

Hancock’s Brooklyn Cuevas puts a hand in the face of Harrison Central’s Anaisha Carriere Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Misty Ellington)

Harrison Central’s Michelle Jacksson blocks a shot by Hancock’s Cambria Necaise Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Misty Ellington)

Hancock wasted no time in setting the tone in the game. Senior standout Brooklyn Cuevas, a recent William Carey signne, hit a 3-pointer as well as two other baskets for seven points in the first quarter as the Lady Haks jumped out to a double-digit 12-2 lead entering the second stanza.
It was Anslee James’ time to shine in the second period, as she stepped up and scored six points as Hancock continued to stretch its advantage and went into halftime with a commanding 26-11 lead.
Harrison Central was never able to cut the deficit to single digits in the second half, as yet two other Hanock players emerged to help maintain control of the contest when Jordan Bishop scored six points in the third frame and Cambria Necaise did the same in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
“Making it to the Christmas break at 13-0 is a credit to our players and their toughness and grit, now we just have to keep on keeping on,” Sisco added.

Hancock’s Anslee James goes to the hoop as Harrison Central’s larissa Hubbard defends Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Misty Ellington)

Harrison Central’s Anaisha Carriere pulls a rebound down as Hancock’s Brooklyn Cuevas (12) and Anslee James (14) defend Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Misty Ellington)

Hancock’s Jordan Bishop attempts a shot as Harrison Central’s Michelle Jackson looks for the block Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Misty Ellington)

James led Hancock’s balanced scoring approach with 11 points, while both Cuevas and Necaise added nine points apiece to the winning effort.
Karma Parker had seven points to lead Harrison Central, while the Lady Hawks limited Dandy Dozen standout Anashia Carriere to six points in the game. Also, just as impressively, Hancock held HCHS forward Larissa Hubbard, who had been averaging about 16 points per game over the past few weeks, to just four points with both baskets coming in the fourth period when the outcome had long been decided.
While Hancock is off until after Christmas, Harrison Central is headed to the beach later this week to compete in the Gulf Shore (Ala.) Classic Tournament.