By Brandon Shields, www.capitalsportsms.com
It’s been awhile since Pelahatchie has played for a state championship.
Behind a fast start along with a very balanced offensive attack the Chiefs held off Northside 59-49 in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Boys Class 2A Basketball playoffs at the Mississippi Coliseum on Wednesday afternoon.
Pelahatchie (29-2) will face Bay Springs for the Class 2A State Championship on Saturday at Noon. The Chiefs are back in the state title game for the first time since 1967.
“They made us go faster than usual, but we made some adjustments on the defensive end and held on at the end,” said Pelahatchie coach Jerrick Porter. “We’re excited to get to state championship game. It’s been a long time coming and we’re just going to do what we do.”
The Chiefs never trailed. Pelahatchie led 15-5 at the end of the first quarter, 25-17 at halftime, and 45-31 at the end of third quarter.
In the fourth quarter Northside went on a 14-4 run to cut the Pelahatchie lead down to 49-45, but the Chiefs ended the quarter on a 10-4 run to seal the game.
Zion Grant had 18 points to lead Pelahatchie, while Caleb Gray added 17 points and Laterrion Irvin chipped in 16 points for the Chiefs.
“We had to come out, play hard, and just out work the other team and end up on top,” Grant said. “I’ve never been in this position before, so it feels good and got to be ready for Saturday.”
Jermarius Jackson had a game-high 20 points to lead Northside (22-12).
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