By Maurice Singleton/Sports Writer

PASS CHRISTIAN – Kentrell Beasley led Biloxi to a win over Pass High in the closing game of the Pass Christian Classic on Saturday night as the Indians opened their last season under the guidance of veteran head coach Seber Windham.

The senior guard Beasley scored 23 points in the back-and-forth battle that ended with a 66-60 Biloxi win that dropped the Pirates to 1-2 on the year after the three day affair

Beasley dished assists, rebounded, and finished plays in traffic, but his biggest contribution was his poise as he reset the offense and settled his team down when they needed that. With the team missing several players who are still playing football, Beasley played the quarterback role for a young basketball team that followed his leadership down the stretch on their way to the win.

“Kentrell Beasley is a senior point guard, and he’s played with me for three and a half years,” said Windham. “You can tell he’s got leadership. He knows how to play. He understands the game. And he can score the ball. He played well down the stretch.”

There were ten lead changes with Pass last holding the lead last at 29-28 just before halftime. But Beasley would sink a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to give the Indians a 31-29 lead at halftime.

The Pirates would tie the game at 43-43 late in the third quarter, but that was as close as the game got the rest of the way. The Pirates would come within one point of the Indians three times from there, the last time at 56-55. But the Indians would outscore the Pirates 10-5 the rest of the way.

Biloxi also got a big boost down the stretch as senior shooting guard Carnellous Lenard chipped in 15 points for the Indians, eleven of those points coming in the fourth quarter, as he sank two 3-pointers and 5 free throws in the period.

“We played okay. The first game of the year; we had some jitters,” Windham added. “I thought we were up and down a lot. We had some defensive breakdowns, but you’re supposed to have those in the first game of the year.”

Pass High’s double senior threat of Landon Hall and Kyran Laneaux both had big nights for the Pirates. Hall led Pass with 21 points followed Laneaux with 18 points.

“Kyran Laneaux did a phenomenal job taking care of the basketball, stepping up to the challenge,” said Pirates coach Robin Sikes.

“We’ve got to make the tough plays down the stretch,” said Sikes. “We missed way too many free throws. We had turnovers down the stretch. We’ve got to take care of that basketball.”

Biloxi remains on the road and travels to Pascagoula Tuesday night. The Panthers are 2-0 after a win on Saturday as well.

Pascagoula dispatched South Jones 56-45 at The Quitman Classic. Blake Nettles led PHS with 17 points, while Marcus Cooper added 14 points to the winning effort and Evan Beck added 10 points.

The Lady Indians and Lady Panthers will tip off the evening.

Pass Christian’s next game is on November 18 at Picayune.