Despite a slow start at home, Ocean Springs handled Pearl 61-47 in the first round of the state Class 7A boys basketball playoffs on Saturday.
Pearl led 15-10 in the first quarter, but the Greyhounds quickly turned the tide in the second quarter, outscoring Pearl 14-5 for a 24-20 halftime advantage.
As the game progressed, Ocean Springs continued to dominate, extending its lead with a 20-point third quarter. The momentum remained in the Greyhounds’ favor in the final quarter to secure the victory over the Pirates.
Ocean Springs junior guard Maddox Noblitt was the game’s leading scorer with 18 points, including 13 in the second half. Senior guards Elijah Isom and Kaleb Bradley scored 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Pearl had standout performances from senior guard-forward Michael Robinson, who tallied 16 points, and senior guard Tristian Lucas, who added 12.
Ocean Springs advances to the quarterfinals and will play Meridian, which beat Gulfport 64-41 in the first round.
