Tournament play begins at South Panola, Hernando
The road to the Big House in Jackson began Tuesday night for teams playing in their respective 6A and 7A region basketball tournaments. Winners advanced to semifinal action and are certain of a first round state playoff game next week, while Monday losers saw their seasons end.
Region 1-6A games at South Panola Tuesday night saw Center Hill boys and girls teams in action. At Hernando, Region 1-7A DeSoto County squads had first round games took place.
Here’s a recap of the DeSoto County teams playing in Batesville, scores from the games at Hernando, plus soccer playoff results, baseball and softball season openers.
REGION 1-6A: SALTILLO BOYS 58, CENTER HILL 47
Saltillo closed strong to defeat Center Hill 58–47 in the first round of the Region 1‑6A boys basketball tournament Tuesday at South Panola High School. The Tigers advance to Thursday’s semifinals to face Lake Cormorant at 8:30 p.m.
Saltillo led 28–25 at halftime after a buzzer‑beater three, then battled through multiple lead changes in the third quarter. An eight‑point run to open the fourth finally gave the Tigers control. Crayden Shannon scored 16 points, and Jeremiah Foster added 15 to pace Saltillo.
Center Hill trailed by just one entering the final period but couldn’t keep up late. The Mustangs were led by Dorian Bagley with 12 points, while Christian Grissom and Tray Conner each finished with 11.
Center Hill coach Julius Cosby said he was proud of his young team’s effort.
“They competed all year. They always get after it,” Cosby said. “You can’t just flip a switch — you’ve got to come out ready to play. They did good, and I applaud them because they work hard.”
REGION 1-6A: LAKE CORMORANT GIRLS 46, CENTER HILL 32
Lake Cormorant used a decisive third‑quarter surge to pull away from Center Hill and earn a 46–32 win Tuesday in the opening round of the Region 1‑6A girls basketball tournament at South Panola High School.
The Lady Gators led 19–16 at halftime after a slow, uneven start following a two‑week layoff caused by winter weather. Center Hill tied the game at 16 before Lake Cormorant regained control late in the second quarter.
Momentum shifted after the break. Lake Cormorant forced turnovers with its zone pressure and converted transition layups to stretch the lead to 12 by the end of the third quarter, taking a 37–28 advantage into the final period. A technical foul on the Center Hill coach with 2:45 remaining helped the Lady Gators maintain separation down the stretch.
Desirae Green led Lake Cormorant with 13 points, one of three players in double figures. Center Hill’s Yazlyn Buffington scored a game‑high 21.
Lake Cormorant coach Angela Allen‑Harris said she expected early rust but praised her team’s defensive response.
“We finally started doing what we needed in our press,” she said. “If we can get turnovers, we can score.”
Lake Cormorant faces host South Panola in Thursday’s semifinals.
Prep boys’ basketball tournaments
Region 1-7A at Hernando
- 5:30 p.m. — Lewisburg 45, Southaven 36
- 8:30 p.m. — Horn Lake 58, Hernando 47
Prep girls’ basketball tournaments
Region 1-7A at Hernando
- 4 p.m. — Horn Lake 55, Lewisburg 28
- 7 p.m. — Hernando 45, Southaven 36
Prep boys’ soccer
MHSAA 7A playoffs – first round
- Madison Central 6, DeSoto Central 0
- Hernando 1, Germantown 1 (Hernando wins in penalty kicks 4-2)
- Hernando regulation goal-Liam Frank (1)
- Lewisburg 1, Oxford 0
MHSAA 6A playoffs – first round
- Olive Branch 8, Greenville 0
- Lake Cormorant 3, Callaway 2
- Lake Cormorant goals-Adam Butler (2), Luis Cano (1)
- Center Hill 5, Ridgeland 0
Prep girls’ soccer
MHSAA 7A playoffs – first round
- Clinton 3, Lewisburg 1
MHSAA 6A playoffs – first round
Tuesday, Feb. 10
- Center Hill 8, Greenville 1
- Warren Central 11, Olive Branch 4
Prep baseball
- Lewisburg 10, Grenada 2
- Center Hill 14, Southaven 1
Prep softball
- DeSoto Central 12, Center Hill 2
- Hernando 16, Lake Cormorant 0 (3 innings)
- Corinth 13, Southaven 1
