Amarion Sanders drops 33 points to send South Delta past Leake County, into 1A semifinals
RAYMOND — The South Delta Bulldogs are going back tot he Big House for the first time in six years.
Behind a big third quarter and a steady dose of scoring from JaMichael Green and Amarion Sanders, the Bulldogs got past Leake County 86-71 in the Quarterfinal Round of the MHSAA Boys Class 1A State Tournament at Raymond High School on Thursday night.
The Bulldogs (22-5) will face Biggersville in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Class 1A playoffs at the Mississippi Coliseum on Monday at Noon.
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“We go as those guys go and they bring leadership for us on the floor," South Delta coach Roy Watson said. "Tonight, we needed that. I had some good leadership out on the floor that kept things under control, and we had other guys step up big for us.”
Both teams came out with a lot of intensity in the first quarter, as Leake County played their way to a slim 17-16 lead at the first break.
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The second quarter was back-and-forth, but South Delta ended the half on a little 6-2 run to take a 35-31 lead at halftime.
The third quarter was the difference in the game, as the Bulldogs outscored the Gators 27-12 — highlighted by a 10-0 run — to take a 62-43 lead and put the game out of reach headed to the fourth.
Sanders poured in a game-high 33 points to lead South Delta, while Green added 20 points and Emmanuel Sutton chipped in 19 points.
“We got too caught up in the moment," Green said. "But in the second half, we came out and played like we can play and took over. Right now, with us, it’s deeper than basketball and for us to get to the coliseum is for the people we lost and just putting the city on our back.”
South Delta and the city of Rolling Fork is still recovering from the EF-4 tornado that hit that town last March.
For Watson, coaching his team to the state championship is personal.
“It’s going to be an experience for me and the team because it was a goal to get to the coliseum and try to win for South Delta because it’s my alma mater,” Watson said. “These kids have been through a lot, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. My hope is show up Monday and take care of business and get to Thursday.”
Treylon Ricks had 22 points to lead Leake County, while Tay Fortune added 17 points for the Gators (18-13).
