By CURTIS ROCKWELL?Sports Director

HATTIESBURG — The West Harrison boys pulled off perhaps the biggest upset in the state playoffs so far this season Saturday night.
All the Hurricanes did was go on the road and knock off defending Class 5A state champion and perennial state power Hattiesburg 63-60 in the opening round of the Class 6A South State playoffs.
The win was the biggest by far of West Harrison head coach Jeff Norwood’s three-year career at the helm of the Hurricanes. Norwood’s squad stands 18-11 on the season as it moves on to play in the Class 6A Quarterfinals Tournament next weekend.

“It’s been a good season for us, Norwood said. “The start was a little rough but we have just been getting better every game. I thought the win over Hattiesburg was a big step forward. Hattiesburg has ended our season the two previous seasons. We are excited to be still playing.”
Thanks to six first half 3-pointers, including a pair by Kameron Bolden, the Hurricanes breezed to a slight 27-24 lead at halftime over the Tigers.
West Harrison steadily began to stretch its advantage as the second half unfolded, out-scoring Hattiesburg 24-17 in the third frame as Keyshawn Cook scored seven points inside and JaMarcus McCaleb added a pair of treys from the outside. When it ended, WHHS had its first double-digit lead of the game at 51-41 entering the final period.

The Hurricanes then had to withstand a furious fourth frame rally by the home team before sealing the win. Owen Reese had five points down the stretch for West Harrison, including a 3-pinter of his own.
McCaleb tallied a team-high 13 points to led the Hurricanes, while Reese chipped in 10 points, Cook nine points and Jazear Carter eight points to the winning effort.
Stephen McCullum posted a game-high 20 points for Hattiesburg, including 11 in that fourth quarter comeback attempt.

” I really enjoy this time of year because everyone knows their role and what to do ,so as coach I can spend my time praying and encouraging my players.” Norwood, a standout on the hardwood for Mississippi State some years back, concluded. “We have a tough task ahead but we are happy about the opportunity.”
That tough task he spoke of is facing the powerful Pascagoula Panthers for the third time this season on Friday night at 8:30 p.m., in the Class 6A South State Quarterfinal Tournament in Perkinston next weekend at Dantler Arena on the campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Pascagoula swept a pair of games from WHHS during regular season Region 4-6A play this season.