By Maurice Singleton/Sports Writer

PASS CHRISTIAN — Landon Hall and Kyran Laneaux combined for 22 third quarter points to regain the lead for the Pass High Pirates (20-9) on their way to a 66-55 win on Tuesday over the McComb Tigers (11-12) in the opening round of the Class 4A South State playoffs.

The Pirates trailed the Tigers 26-24 at halftime, but Hall and Laneaux would score all of the Pirates’ third quarter points, giving them a 46-44 lead after three quarters. Hall scored 12 points and Laneaux put up 10 points during the period.

The fourth quarter was all Pass as Mario Burks went on the attack in the paint for the Pirates, scoring 12 points, while the Pirates’ defense held the Tigers to only 11 points in the period. Burks’ final points would come on an exclamation dunk in the game’s closing seconds.

“We had the advantage the whole game with our size, but we weren’t taking advantage of that in the first half,” said Pirates’ coach Robin Sikes. “Our guys were playing soft with jelly hands, not catching the basketball. We’ve got to be a whole lot better if we’re going to make a deep run.

“Too many turnovers,” said Sikes. “I tell you what: I’m glad Mardi Gras is over.”

The Pirates led by two points at the end of the first quarter, but the Tigers would close out the second quarter on a 12-5 run to take the lead at 26-24 at halftime.

Laneaux would lead the charge to open the third quarter scoring his 10 points in the first two-and-a-half-minutes of the period, including three rebounds and putbacks for scores. Hall would score on a layup and two 3-pointers in the first four minutes on the third quarter.

The Pirates led 46-44 after three quarters of play. Then they turned the pressure up on their perimeter defense to open the fourth quarter, forcing four turnovers in the final period.

Burks would open his scoring run by sinking two free throws. On their next possession he scored on a rebound and putback. Then on consecutive possessions he scored on layups. He scored on another layup with just under two minutes to play. Then, he closed out the game’s scoring on a dunk.

Laneaux led the Pirates’ scoring with 20 points, followed by Hall with 16 points, Burks with 12 points, and Terrell Bailey with 9 points.

The Pirates advance to the second round of the playoffs with a home game on Saturday against Mendenhall.