Prep Basketball: Lady Pirates head into day two of own invitational after win over ‘Goula

Pass Christian’s London Martin moves the ball past the midcourt line Tuesday night as Pascagoula’s Genesis Gonzalez pursues. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

By Maurice Singleton/Sports Writer

PASS CHRISTIAN — The Pass High Lady Pirates executed a smothering defense and a quiet attack on the offensive end of the court in their 47-28 lopsided win over the Pascagoula Lady Panthers on the first night of the Pass Christian Invitational on Tuesday.

The Lady Pirates set the tone early, pressuring the ball at half court and sometimes on the inbound ball after a made basket. The Lady Pirates forced 27 Lady Panthers’ turnovers on the night, taking them out of their half-court offense, reducing their game strategies to trying to protect the ball.

Pass Christian’s Khloe Vinsonhaler-Bush makes a move towards the lane with the ball Tuesday night as Pascagoula’s Iyonna Atkins defends. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Pass Christian’s London Martin surveys the scene Tuesday night vs. Pascagoula. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Pass Christian’s London Martin moves the ball down court Tuesday night as Pascagoula’s Genesis Gonzalez defends. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

The result was a 24-8 halftime lead for the Lady Pirates after a suffocating second quarter of defense where they allowed the Lady Panthers a single basket for a mere 2 points.

“You’ve got to get their minds right,” said Lady Pirates coach Caroline Lumpkin. “If they’re not pushing each other, their minds are not right.”

Lumpkin is in her third year as the head basketball coach for the Lady Pirates. The team struggled last year with an inexperienced roster after graduating a class of seniors the year before. In their first game on Tuesday night, they attacked opened lanes and executed plays on the offensive end, and they worked together on double teams to get steals and to force bad shots on the defensive end.

Pass Christian’s Kaelyn Lymuel and Pascagoula’s Iyonna Atkins scramble for a loose ball Tuesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Pass Christian’s Londyn Dedeaux makes a pass Tuesday night vs. Pascagoula. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Pascagoula’s Ja’Katelyn Johnson works with the ball down on the blocks vs. Pass Christian Tuesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

“Last year it was brand new,” said Lumpkin. “We’re figuring out each other, and it takes what it takes. You’ve got to play hard. You’re not going to get anything if you don’t play hard.”

One noticeable difference was the confidence the players demonstrated individually. They all appeared comfortable handling the ball and making the right pass. Lumpkin said this comes from drilling fundamentals on a daily basis.

“Fundamentals every single day!” said Lumpkin. “Every single day we work on fundamentals. Sometimes I worry that we work on fundamentals too much. And I worry about the other stuff.

Pass Christian head coach Caroline Lumpkin instructs her squad Tuesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Pass Christian’s Kaelyn Lymuel vies with Pascagoula’s Iyonna Atkins for a loose ball Tuesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Pascagoula’s Rylee Hilliard fights to control the ball vs. Pass Christian Tuesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

“We’re short,” Lumpkin added. “We’re going to be mix-matched against everybody we play. I think our tallest kid is maybe 5’10” on her tiptoes with heel inserts. So really, we have to be guard heavy and everybody has got to be able to handle the basketball.”

Eight players scored for the Lady Pirates in the opening night contest with Khloee Vinsonhaler-Bush leading the way with 11 points, followed by Megan Dedeaux and Londyn Dedeaux with 6 points each, and Khloe Green with 5 points.

The Lady Pirates resume play on Thursday night against West Harrison in the Pass Christian Invitational before taking on the Gulfport Lady Admirals on Saturday.

In other action in day two of the tourney Thursday, In addition to both host teams and both West Harrison teams back in action again but those four will be joined by the Hancock and Gautier boys and well as the Gautier and St. Patrick girls as well.