Omarion Blakes, Brandon Hall lead McEvans past Bay Springs in 1A Quarterfinals

The Hawks flipped the script, beating the Bulldogs in the quarterfinals to avenge a third-round loss from last year

CLINTON — McEvans went into Thursday night's Class 1A Quarterfinal looking for revenge, and they got it.

Behind stars Omarion Blakes and Brandon Hall, the Warriors put together a big third quarter beat Bay Springs 69-58 in the Third Round of the MHSAA Boys Class 1A Basketball playoffs at Clinton High School on Thursday night.

McEvans (22-6) will play H.W. Byers in the Semifinal Round of the Class 1A playoffs at Noon on Monday at the Mississippi Coliseum.

MORE: MHSAA Boys Basketball Playoff Brackets

Thursday's win erased the disappointment of the Warriors' quarterfinal loss to the Bulldogs a year ago.

“We knew at the beginning of the season we were going to see them again ,and that loss last year stayed with us and we played well in the second half,” said McEvans coach Eric Henry. “The plan in the second half was keep attacking the basket and it paid off.”

Neither team got much separation in a back and forth first half.

McEvans held a slim 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. Bay Springs responded with a 12-5 run to begin the second quarter to take a 18-14 lead and eventually held a slim 27-25 lead at halftime.

The third quarter was the difference, as the Warriors outscored the Bulldogs 19-12 to take a 44-39 lead heading into the final quarter. McEvans ended the third quarter on a 12-4 run.

To begin the fourth quarter, Bay Springs responded with a 7-2 run to that was highlighted by a three-point play by Tyrice Holloway to tie the game at 46.

The Warriors responded with a 8-0 run to take a 54-46 lead and never trailed from that point.

Blakes, a Alcorn State football signee, had 19 points to lead McEvans.

“I knew I had to come out big and keep the same energy for the second half and get the ball in the basket,” Blakes said. “Shots weren’t falling from the perimeter, so we had to get inside and make lay-ups or get fouled and get to the line, and we did that. We knew we could outrun them and get to the basket, and once we could do that, we had it.”

Hall added 14 points and Jalen Smith chipped 12 points for the Warriors.

Tashun Pierce had a game-high 22 points to lead Bay Springs, while Dalyn Pierce added 15 points for the Bulldogs (24-6).

“We came out flat and didn’t hit baskets and just didn’t play well overall,” said Bay Springs coach Corey Mackey. “We didn’t defend them well, but for some reason our guys fouled more than they did. They took advantage of us having to play passive cause of foul trouble.”