The home of the Memphis Grizzlies gives high school teams a chance to take the floor when the NBA team is not using it and the Hernando Tigers and Lady Tigers took advantage on Wednesday afternoon.
For the first time, the boys’ basketball team took the FedExForum floor, Wednesday meeting one of state’s the top-ranked 5A squads, the Trojans of New Hope in Columbus.
That contest took place after the girls’ teams of the respective schools faced off in the first game of the prep doubleheader.
Both games were competitive contests, with the Tigers extending the Trojans to the very end before New Hope prevailed 58-55. The Lady Tigers left the FedExForum floor with a 47-39 victory.
The Hernando boys were led by the 19-point effort of Jakeel Truss, whose 12 second-half points kept the Tigers within striking distance of the Trojans. Darrell Tate added 12 points for Hernando.
New Hope was led by Isaac Grady with 18 points, followed by TJ Warren with 16.
After both teams played to a 15-15 tie, the Tigers stepped out to a 28-25 lead at halftime. The Trojans came out from the break to take a 45-38 margin after three quarters.
“I was not pleased with the result but this was by far the best we’ve played this year,” said Hernando coach Stephen Cox. “Hopefully, we’re starting to take a step in the right direction. We had a chance to win in the end and that’s all you can ask for.”
The Hernando girls started their game with a 16-9 lead after one quarter, but New Hope rallied in the second quarter to get within one point at intermission at 21-20 Hernando. New Hope actually had a 29-27 lead after a low-scoring third quarter of the play.
Hernando then ignited both their offense and defense, scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter while limiting New Hope to 10 final period points in claiming the victory.
Franziska Kelly led the Lady Tigers in scoring with 17 points. Logan Warren of New Hope led all scorers with 18 points.
Lady Tiger coach Blake Jones, bringing his second Hernando team to FedExForum, said there are three reasons why he does it.
“The kids like it and it gives us a change in scenery,” Jones said. “It also gives a chance of postseason vision if you happen to make the playoffs and play at a place like Mississippi Valley, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, wherever the state championships are these days. It also gives you a different opponent. The first time we played Kossuth, we had never played them. Here, we played New Hope. It’s a good thing for the kids and the fans.”
Cox added, “I thought the kids would enjoy the experience and I think they did.”
