The Tigers of Winona High School took a bite out of visiting Aberdeen High School to claim a 62-47 first-round State 3A Tournament win Tuesday night at J.J. Knox gymnasium.
Winona (20-8) will play the winner of Tuesday’s game between Alcorn Central and Byhalia on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Winona High School.
The Tigers only led 12-5 after one, and Aberdeen pulled to within six at 23-17 by halftime. However, a 19-10 run in the third period proved to be the difference as Winona led 42-27 headed to the fourth frame.
Jaiwain Small led the Tigers with 17 points, and Cliff Lee had 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Damariya Mister tacked on 12 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Fred Clark had six points and six rebounds.
In the championship game of the Region 3-3A Tournament last Friday night at Winona, the Tigers knocked off Ruleville 64-44. Winona led 14-8 after one, 29-17 at the half and 48-22 after the third period.
Small led the Tigers with 18 points, four assists and four rebounds. Mister tacked on 13 points, five boards, three assists and two steals, and Lee had 11 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals.
Fred Clark scored nine points and grabbed eight boards, and Tyshuan Clark had eight points, four rebounds and three steals.
Winona Girls
The Lady Tigers closed out their season with a 59-33 loss to Nettleton High School in the first round of the State 3A Tournament Monday night.
Winona, the No. 3 seed from Region 3, finished its season with a 11-19 overall record. Nettleton will play North Panola Friday night.
Nettleton led 15-2 after the first period, 29-17 at the half and 51-24 after the third quarter.
Jayla Campbell led Winona with 13 points. Ta’nhya Knight tacked on eight points.
The Lady Tigers beat Amanda Elzy 45-38 last Friday in the consolation game of the Region 3 Tournament. They led 13-8 after the first period, 24-8 at the half and 40-20 after the third frame.
Campbell led Winona with 20 points, and Jasmine McMath had nine. Knight and Za’Miya Griffin had seven each.
