On Saturday Night the Center Hill Mustangs traveled to Pontotoc for the third night in a row looking to become the North 4A State Champions. They would have to overcome the home standing Pontotoc Warriors and a very loud home crowd. The Mustangs and Warriors battled evenly through out the first quarter which ended tied at 10. The Mustangs behind the hot shooting of Aashad Stephens held a 26-20 halftime advantage. The Mustangs however ended the first half with several players in foul trouble. The second half began as the first half ended with Stephens torching the net with three point bombs and pull ups in the lane. The Warriors caught fire in the last 3 minutes of the quarter with one three point bomb after another. The quarter ended with a three point shot by Pontotoc at the buzzer to give the Warriors a 46-43 advantage. With Stephens and Johnny Scales on the bench with four fouls each to begin the fourth quarter the Mustangs struggled to regain the lead. The fourth quarter saw Senior Brandon Lucas lead the charge to keep the Mustangs hope of a 4A North State Championship alive. The Warriors were clutch from the free throw line late in the game and held on for a 61-56 win.
The CHHS Mustangs advance to the 4A State Tournament at the "Big House" in Jackson. They will play the South State Champions the Bay High Tigers from Bay St. Louis. These two teams may be separated by 420 miles but they both will come to the state capitol with hopes of bringing the Gold Ball back to their home towns. Game time will be 8 p.m. on March 1.
