By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

GULFPORT — West Harrison’s Kennedie McGee’s free throw with five seconds to play handed unbeaten Harrison Central is first loss of the season Tuesday night.
McGee got fouled by Red Rebelette standout Saniyah Murray on a drive to the basket and converted the second of her two free throws to pull out the big win. The free throw was just one of three total points for WHHS in the fourth quarter, and kept HCHS from earning a come-from-behind win after the Red Rebelettes trailed throughout most of the game.

Then, West Harrison’s Jazza’Ya Craighead was solid defensively, denying Murray a chance to win the game with a last-second shot as the final horn sounded.
Craighead was also effective offensively, especially in the first half, as she scored all 11 of her points, including a trio of 3-pointers, to put the Lady ‘Canes up 22-17 at halftime.
And despite Harrison Central’s Parklynn Floyd dropping in eight third period points, the West Harrison advantage remained at five at 33-28 as the two teams headed into the fourth frame.

“Big win for the program and for the team,” WHHS head coach Patty Norwood said. “My girls fought hard and stuck together as a unit.”

Craighead’s 11 points led the Lady ‘Canes, while Tiyazha Barron added eight points to the winning effort.
Floyd had a game-high 13 points to pace HCHS, while Autumn Keeler added 10 points and the lady ‘Canes limited murray to seven points. Murray, the Dandy Dozen junior post product, came in averaging just over 20 points per game.
The win moved West Harrison to a solid 14-1 overall and 3-1 in Region 4-7A, while the loss was the first of the current campaign for HCHS as it falls to 17-1 overall and also 3-1 in the region race.