Prep Basketball: Indians bounce by Panthers 54-42 Tuesday night

Biloxi’s Carnellus Lenard drives past Pascagoula’s C. J. Rogers at mid-court Tuesday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PASCAGOULA — Visiting Biloxi picked up its second win of the new prep basketball season Tuesday night.

The Indians bounced Pascagoula 54-42 to move to 2-0 and drop the Panthers to 2-1. The Indians were led by senior guard Carnellous Lenard, who dropped in a game-high 19 points in the win.

“He’s a senior guard who’s really worked on his offensive game and it’s starting to pay off,” veteran Biloxi head coach Seber Windham, who is in his 22nd and final season at the helm of the Indians, said.

Biloxi’s Christian Gullett reaches out for the ball as Pascagoula’s Evan Beck reacts and Indian Ethan Richburg pursues Tuesday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Pascagoula’s Marcus Cooper stretches out for a jumper atop the key vs. Biloxi Tuesday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Biloxi’s Carnellus Lenard drives past Pascagoula’s C. J. Rogers at mid-court Tuesday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Pascagoula’s Blake Nettles drives by Biloxi’s Carnellus Lenard Tuesday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

But Lenard had some help. Biloxi’s Ethan Richburg scored five points, including a 3-pointer, in the first frame as the Indians took a 14-11 lead heading into the second period. Indian Kentrell Beasley duplicated that feat exactly in the second stanza as the visitors stretched their advantage ever so slightly to five points at 29-24 heading into halftime.

Lenard then stepped up and stepped out behind the long-range arc to nail a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter as BHS continued to separate itself out-scoring PHS 15-9 in the stanza to move its lead to double digits at 44-33 entering the final quarter.

Biloxi’s Kentrell Beasley makes a pass as Pascagoula’s Marcus Cooper defends Tuesday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Pascagoula’s Tamir Boykin goes up for a jump shot over Biloxi’s Antwan Carter Tuesday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Biloxi’s Kentrell Beasley goes up for a lay-up past Pascagoula’s C. J. Rogers at the basket Tuesday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Pascagoula’s Blake Nettles moves the ball past Biloxi defender Ethan Richburg Tuesday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

“Pascagoula has an awesome basketball program,” Windham concluded. “It’s a pleasure to play (PHS head coach) Lorenzo Wright’s team. If you go to their place and get a win you better enjoy it!”
Lenard’s 19 points was followed by Beasley’s 12 points for Biloxi, and Richburg had eight points. Beasley als0 dished ou five assists.

Pascagoula got 14 points from Marcus Cooper. The Indians limited Panther senior guard Blake Nettles, who averaged 18 points per game in the first two games of the season, to just six points on the night all coming in the first half.