Saltillo edges Olive Branch boys in Region 1-6A Clash, Pimpton leads Lady Quistors

January 10, 2026 Bob Bakken

Photo: Caleb Nix of Olive Branch leans into a a pair of Saltillo defenders during second half action Friday night. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

SALTILLO, Miss. – In a game that lived up to its high-stakes billing, the Saltillo Tigers survived a back-and-forth battle to defeat Olive Branch 67-65 on Friday night. The victory secures a pivotal Region 1-6A win for Saltillo in a contest defined by second-half swings and late-game dramatics.

The Tigers relied on a balanced offensive attack, placing four players in double figures. Eli Shannon led the charge for Saltillo with 18 points. Olive Branch was fueled by Tommy Callicut, who scored 11 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter, and Cordi Smith, who added 19.

The matchup was a stalemate from the jump, ending the first quarter tied at 14. Olive Branch took a 34-31 lead into halftime behind late three-pointers from Tyler Gillespie, but momentum shifted in the second half. The fourth quarter turned volatile as both teams were assessed technical fouls during a physical stretch that saw Saltillo cling to a 56-53 lead with five minutes remaining.

Olive Branch roared back late, as Callicut completed a “hoop and harm” three-point play to tie the game at 65-65 with just 52 seconds left. However, Saltillo drew a foul with 4.1 seconds remaining, hitting the decisive free throw to seal the win.

“We knew it was going to be a really good game,” Olive Branch coach Eric Brumbaugh said. “They have tough guards and run good sets. We didn’t shoot the ball very well tonight and missed some layups and free throws. We definitely have room to get better.”

Despite the loss, Brumbaugh remains optimistic about the rivalry. “Chances are we will see them two more times—at our place and in the division tournament.”

Pimpton leads dominant Olive Branch rout of Saltillo

SALTILLO, Miss. – Vadaija Pimpton scored a game-high 20 points as the Olive Branch Lady Conquistadors dismantled Saltillo 64-12 in a Region 1-6A matchup on Friday night. The victory showcased a defensive masterclass by Olive Branch, which triggered a running clock by the midpoint of the fourth quarter.

Olive Branch established control early, surging to a 16-2 lead in the second quarter and holding a 29-7 advantage at halftime. The defensive intensity only increased after the break, as the Lady Conquistadors limited Saltillo to a single basket during the entire third quarter.

Pimpton was the catalyst for the offense, scoring 14 of her 20 points in the first half. Makayla Jamison provided a massive spark off the bench in the final period, scoring all 12 of her points in the fourth quarter to help extend the lead.

“The kids did a phenomenal job using the preparation we had over the last couple of days,” said Olive Branch coach Jason Thompson. “We wanted to play on a string on defense—when one side rotated, everybody followed so they left nobody open. They did a phenomenal job clogging it up.”

Thompson praised Pimpton’s all-around effort, calling her a “tenacious defensive player” whose energy fuels the team’s transition game. Despite the lopsided score, Thompson emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline.

“We had to still play our style and do our thing,” Thompson said. “The kids were really receptive to doing the right stuff and not creating bad habits.”