SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

November 9, 2026

Prep Basketball: Greyhounds top Picayune, Hancock falls to 1-1 in OSHS Tip-Off Classic

Hancock’s Baylen Ladner stretches out to grab a loose ball vs. Hattiesburg. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

OCEAN SPRINGS — A trio of boy’s prep basketball teams from the “Southern Six” converged on Hubbard Gymnasium here Saturday for the annual Ocean Springs Tip-Off Classic.

But only the home-standing Greyhounds came away with a win.

Hancock opened the event with a close 43-40 loss to Mobile Davidson. It was the second three-point decision in four days to start the new season off for the Hawks, after they posted a 53-50 win earlier in the week over home-standing Hattiesburg.

Hancock’s Sebastain Schwandt puts up an acrobatic shot in the lane vs. Hattiesburg. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Hancock’s Max Makoka goes hard to the hoop vs. Hattiesburg. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Hancock’s Jordan Gilliam makes a move towards the lane as Hattiesburg’s Cam Taylor defends. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Hancock’s Avery Gusman heads toward the hoop as Hattiesburg’s Kheston Dumas defends. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

On Saturday, Hancock struggled for the first three quarters before a furious fourth quarter rally came up just short for the Hawks against the Warriors.

Cody Barr led HHS with 11 points, while Avery Gusmus chipped in 10 points.

Amare Moore tallied a game-high 14 points for Davidson.

Against Hattiesburg, Gusmus, Ben Duhon and Jordan Gilliam each knocked down a 3-pointer apiece in the fourth quarter as the Hawks held off the Tigers.

Max Makoka paced Hancock with 13 points, while Gusmus added 11 points, including a trio of treys,

Hancock’s Sebastian Schwandt brings the ball down the lane vs. Hattiesburg. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Hancock’s Max Makoka (left) and Avery Gusman defend as Hattiesburg’s Jabari Jones pulls down a rebound. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Hancock’s Jordan Gilliam surveys his options vs. Hattiesburg. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Meanwhile, the final match-up of the day in Ocean Springs on Saturday saw the Greyhounds topple Picayune 71-54.

OSHS moved to 2-0 on the season with the win, after thumping Gautier 63-9 earlier in the week.

The Maroon Tide fell to 1-1.

Resurrection transfer Keyshawn Nesbitt topped OSHS with 17 points in the win, while Easton Bahr added 13 points and Jeremie Packer had 11 points. Yet another RCS transfer, Denzel Eaton, added 10 points to place four OSHS players in double digits.

Kelton Stewart poured in a game-high 20 points for Picayune, while Jamir Valentine chipped in 16 points for the Maroon Tide.