Needing just one more win to book a trip to the Mississippi Coliseum, a.k.a. The Big House, for the chance at another state championship, the Yazoo City Indians had to like their chances with familiar foe Greenwood standing in the way.
The Indians had defeated the Bulldogs 2-out-of-three times already this season and looked to punch their Big House ticket with a quarterfinal win at Northeast Community College last Friday.
Unfortunately for the Indians, Greenville came out firing on all cylinders and snatched the game’s momentum from the opening tip en route to a 56-43 victory.
The loss ended the Indians’ season at 20-13.
Yazoo City entered the game short-handed with several key pieces missing due to disciplinary reasons.
Senior Jacorion Taylor did his best to help overcome those losses, scoring 12 of Yazoo City’s 13 first quarter points. He matched the Bulldogs by himself as the Indians led 13-12 after one quarter.
Bulldog junior Frederick Ford, however, began to take over on the inside in the second quarter, scoring nine of Greenwood’s 14 points to give GHS a 14-11 quarter advantage and 26-24 halftime lead.
Greenwood outscored Yazoo City 11-7 in the third quarter and led by six, 37-31, going into the final frame.
While the Bulldog defense adjusted to slow Taylor down, senior Travis Jones started to impose his will in the fourth quarter.
Jones scored on three straight posssessions, but the Bulldogs were able to make free throws down the stretch, and the Indians would never get any closer than eight.
GHS connected on 8-of-10 foul shots over the final 3:29 to keep the Indians at bay and secure the win.
Taylor led the Indians in scoring with 17 points, six rebounds and five steals.
Jones had 12 points and four rebounds. Other scorers were Jahiem Sims with seven, Chris Gates with three, and Keiron Davis and Jaden Rogers with two apiece.
Greenwood shot 62% from the field for the game while Yazoo City shot 35%.
