C2D1: Hayti ends Tigers’ season in district semis

HOLCOMB — The Neelyville Tigers season ended Thursday night in a heartbreaking 71-60 loss to the Hayti Indians in their second-round Class 2 District 1 game at Holcomb High School.

The Tigers received a first-round bye as the top-seeded team, while Hayti, the fifth seed, beat fourth-seeded Bernie 50-39 on Tuesday night.

The Indians top scorers led the way with double-digits: Prince Black with a game-high 19 points, Jaheim Dunn with 17, and Jvonta Payne with 16.

The Tigers leading scorers were Grant Hale with 18 points and Casen Stephens with 17.

“I’m proud of them,” said Neelyville head coach Brad Burdin. “Sometimes the chips don’t fall like we want them to, and success doesn’t always come with victories.

“You have to learn that in life, but at the end of the day, they left the program better than they found it, and that’s all I can ask for.”

Hayti got off to a fast start, hitting its first five field goal attempts while pressing the Tigers the length of the court on defense.

Neelyville settled down after this early run, however, working to secure an 18-17 lead as the first quarter came down to the last two seconds.

Hayti took the inbounds pass and knocked down a halfcourt 3-pointer to end the first with a 20-18 lead.

The Tigers started the second with a 4-0 run for a two-point lead, but Hayti was not deterred, making its baskets while Neelyville missed its own to take a 28-22 lead with three minutes remaining in the half.

Neelyville senior Grant Hale hit a 3-pointer to draw the Tigers within one, but the Indians extended their lead to 34-30 at halftime.

Hayti took over the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers 17-11 in the period as Neelyville struggled to keep pace. After Neelyville’s Stephens scored a three-point play to cut the score to 48-41, Hayti hit another 3 at the buzzer to end the third up by 10 points, 51-41.

Neelyville couldn’t take advantage of any chances to cut into the Hayti lead in the fourth, missing key layups and 3-point shots while the Indians had an answer for the Tigers’ full-court press.

The Tigers end their season at 16-11 and will bid farewell to senior Hale, but they can look forward to the potential return of the rest of their starters.

Hayti improved to 11-15 and will play for the district championship against the winner of the late Thursday night game between Campbell and South Pemiscot.