Gulfport, Horn Lake win Class 6A crowns

Published 12:30 am Sunday, March 16, 2014

JACKSON — Jahshire Hardnett scored 30 points, and Gulfport overcame a fourth-quarter charge by Grenada to win 64-59 in the MHSAA boys Class 6A championship game Saturday night.

Grenada, which trailed 48-39 entering the fourth quarter, went on a 12-2 run late in the period to go up 59-58 with 54.4 seconds left. Gulfport, however, scored the last six points of the game and won its first state championship since 2002.

It’s Gulfport’s eighth state title overall, which ties it with Lanier for the most in the MHSAA since integration in 1971.

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In the girls Class 6A final, Olivia Cunningham scored 19 points and Erika Toney added 12 as Horn Lake (29-1) beat Olive Branch 74-39.

The Lady Eagles (29-1) jumped out to an 18-6 lead by the end of the first quarter and were ahead 41-15 by halftime. Toney led a Horn Lake bench that contributed 26 points.

In the boys Class 4A championship game, McComb routed Raymond 68-48 to win its first state title since 1962. Antonio Johnson scored 20 points and Emanuel Thompson added 19 for McComb (32-1).

James Jordan led Raymond (28-8) with 16 points.

The Class 4A girls final saw Itawamba AHS (30-8) nip defending champion Bay High 42-41 to win the first state title in school history.

Constance Dunn scored 14 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and came up with a game-winning steal with six seconds remaining for Itawamba.