By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PASCAGOULA — Resurrection continued its role of David Saturday in the annual Panther Classic.

The Class 1A Eagles slayed yet another giant, taking down Class 4A power Pass Christian 75-65 in the penultimate contest at the annual affair at the PHS gym.

The win was the eighth straight over Class 4A competition or higher this season for RCS, which moves to a solid 11-3 overall. The Pirates, who are expected to make some noise in the upcoming Class 4A South State playoffs, fall to 10-8 overall with their third straight loss to end the week.

Resurrection’s Keyshawn Nesbitt tallied seven points in the first frame as the Eagles jumped out to a double-digit lead at 16-6 entering the second stanza. Then, RCS guard Gian Vera took over and dropped in 11 points, including a 3-pointer, as the Eagles slowly stretched their advantage to 40-21 at intermission as Nesbitt added seven more points of his own, including a trey as well.

Pass Christian’s Landon Hall, Hardy Belt and Terrell Bailey combined for 19 of the 22 Pirate points in the third period, as the Pirates sliced the deficit to 56-43 heading into the final quarter.

But, RCS big man Tyrese Ricardo scored seven points down the stretch, and Nesbitt added six points including converting four-of-four free throws as RCS sealed the win.

Nesbitt’s drained a game-high 21 points to lead the Eagles, while Vera chipped in 20 points to the winning effort. Ricard added 11 points also. The other RCS big man Simeon Ballard finished with a game-high 11 rebounds and he had four blocked shots.

“Our underclassman stepped up big,” RCS head coach David Pilger said. “Ballard was a beast under the basket and Nesbitt was nominant at taking it to the basket against the very big Pass team, Ballard’s presence at the basket, rebounding, blocking shots and contesting shots at the rim was the key to beating this very good team. Nesbitt made spectacular move after spectacular move driving to the basket. He has the incredible ability to take on multiple defenders and still consistently find the basket.”

Hall, Pass Christian’s Dandy Dozen senior standout, had 14 points to pace the Pirates before fouling out in the fourth period. Belt had 13 for PCHS.