North Pemiscot shocks Hayti to improve to 2-0

GIDEON, Mo. -- After six straight wins by higher seeds, the Bulldog Classic seemed almost due for an upset.

They got one -- and then two.

Sixth-seeded South Pemiscot provided the tourney's first upset Tuesday night with a 38-37 win over Campbell on the girls' side, then No. 6 North Pemiscot closed Round One by shocking the third-seeded Hayti Indians 75-63.

In other games involving Bootheel teams, Holcomb fell to Bloomfield 68-45 in first-round play at the Bernie Invitational.

At Gideon, Hayti jumped out to a 13-4 lead in the opening period, but the Mustangs (2-0) rallied, closing the period on a 16-2 run to go ahead 20-15.

North Pem took a 42-34 lead to the locker room, then came out on fire in the second half to push the lead to 21 points. Despite a late rally, the Indians came no closer than eight points the rest of the way.

The Mustangs were led in scoring by sophomore Lejuane Johnson with a game-high 24 points, while Brandon Holloman added 14, James Macklin chipped in 13 and Britton Wilson finished with 10.

Keenan Williams and Doriyon West led Hayti with 19 points each, while Demonta Abbott finished with 10.

North Pem will take on second-seeded Gosnell, Ark. on Friday night in semifinal action. Gosnell rallied to down South Pemiscot 76-68 in Tuesday's other boys' first-round contest.

Bernie Invitational
Bloomfield 68, Holcomb 45
At Bernie, the Hornets dropped their season opener to defending Class 3, District 2 champion Bloomfield in a first-round tournament game.

Zach Williams led Holcomb with 14 points and four 3-pointers, while Alex Johnson finished with 10.