By SAM STAFF/Sports Writer

The boy’s basketball state playoffs resume for some squads in the “Southern Six” on Saturday night while it begins for many others as well on that same evening.
The smaller classification, Class 1A-4A, got started on Tuesday and the survivors of that round move on to action on Saturday. For the larger classes, Class 7A-5A, the playoffs tip-off Saturday.
In the first-ever Class 7A South State playoffs, Harrison Central hosts Northwest Rankin and Ocean Springs hosts Pearl.
The Red Rebels are coming off a 65-45 thumping of the Greyhounds one week ago in the Region 4-7A Tournament championship. Pearl beat NWR 54-49 in the Region 3-7A consolation contest.
Also in the Class 7A South state playoffs, Biloxi heads to Brandon and Gulfport is on the road at Meridian. The Indians beat the arch-rival Admirals 65-50 in the consolation game of the Region 4-7A tourney, while Meridian slipped past Brandon 56-51 in the Region 3-7A tourney title tilt.

In the Class 6A South State playoffs, powerful Pascagoula hosts West Jones in the opening round while Picayune hosts Forrest Hill. Pascagoula beat Picayune 62-49 in the Region 4-6A Tournament championship game one week ago. Forrest Hill beat WJHS 43-39 in the consolation contest of the Region 3-6A tourney.
Also, West Harrison hits the road to perennial state power Hattiesburg, while Hancock heads to Terry. Terry beat Hattiesburg 62-44 in the Region 3-6A tourney finals, while the Hurricanes beat the Hawks 55-45 in the Region 4-6A consolation contest.

In Class 5A, Stone heads to South Jones and Gautier is on the road to Jackson to face Provine High.
As the Class 4A South State playoffs resume this weekend, Forrest is at Pass Christian. The Pirates are playing their second consecutive home playoff contest after bouncing Jackson Wingfield 66-39 on Tuesday. Forest upset Sumrall on the road Tuesday 51-49.
And, in Class 3A, St. Patrick will also get its second straight home game in a five day span as the Fighting Irish host South Pike. St. Patrick thumped Seminary 85-54 to open the playoffs Tuesday, while South Pike slipped past Kemper County 50-45 on the same night.