From staff reports

An early swoon and a late goaltending call led to the end of Tallulah Academy’s best season in 20 years.

Logan Moore scored 15 points, Dakota Moss added 10, and Riverfield beat Tallulah 61-55 on Tuesday in the first round of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class A South State Tournament.

Jes Shivers had 21 points and eight rebounds for Tallulah, John Robert Fortenberry scored 18 points, and Jake Busby had 10 points and eight rebounds.

The loss ended Tallulah’s season at 18-12, just one year after it finished 2-22. The Trojans reached the South State Tournament — the second of three levels of playoffs — for the first time since 1990.

“We set goals at the beginning of the season. They were to have a winning record, finish in the top three in the district and make South State. We met all three of them,” Tallulah coach John Weaver said. “Hopefully now Tallulah is going to be known not only for football, but for boys basketball.”

Riverfield raced out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter and maintained it for much of the game. Tallulah got within two points in the last two minutes. With about a minute and a half left, however, Busby had a tying dunk negated by an offensive goaltending call. Riverfield then closed the game out at the free throw line.

(B) Port Gibson 56, South Pike 51

Chicurial Hill scored 18 points and Rajee McDonald had 16 to lead Port Gibson past South Pike in the first round of the Division 7-4A tournament.

(G) Tallulah 64, Riverfield 41

Allie Kate Gossett scored 22 points to lead Tallulah past Riverfield in the first round of the MAIS Class A South State tournament.

Megan Givens and Sarah Beth Russell each added 12 points for Tallulah, which will face Riverdale in the second round Friday at 2:15 p.m.