jmccann@heraldsun.com; 419-6601
ROXBORO — For the second Friday in a row, a top-three PAC-6 team came to Roxboro and left on the wrong side of the scoreboard, Person toppling previous co-leader Hillside 72-66 in overtime to secure a lone grip on first place.
“It’s a big deal, but it’s still four games (left on the schedule), so it’s still kind of a long season that we’ve got to battle with,” Person coach Charles Dacus said. “Northern was in first place for a long time, so we don’t want to slip. We can’t relax.”
The first game of the doubleheader was a blowout. Hillside’s girls beat Person’s 86-24 to keep the Hornets unbeaten in the PAC-6. Hillside got 17 points from Morgan McGee and 15 from Jordyn Smith.
Last week, Person’s boys beat Northern 65-47. Last night was Hillside’s turn to go home tasting defeat.
“Great game. Two great teams. Somebody had to lose. Unfortunately it was us,” Hillside coach Crasten Davis said. His team earlier lost to Person on a Tyrone Outlaw Jr. buzzer beater at home and had been unbeaten in league play since starting the year 0-2.
Shortly after the opening tip, Hillside point guard DeShon Self entered the paint to attempt the Hornets’ first shot of the evening and was met by Mr. Outlaw, who put the swat on it.
Outlaw (6-foot-6, 190), Person’s main man, later got his hand on an attempt by Hillside big man Josh McNeill before pinning Trevion Thompson’s attempted dunk to the glass. McNeil (6-5, 235) and Thompson (6-4, 200) are top athletes who also star on the football field.
Hillside initially looked out of sorts but made a run to keep this thing close. A couple of first-half 3-pointers by Hillside’s Darian Allen (22 points) made a difference, and a 3 by TyQuon Reid helped Hillside to a 31-26 halftime lead.
Outlaw didn't appear to be looking for his shot early on.
“He’s got a great supporting cast,” Dacus said. “The other night he went for 35 (points) and 20 (rebounds), tonight he’s very confident in all his teammates. Hillside did a great job of focusing on him, you know — he made the right play, whether it was taking the shot or hitting his teammate for an assist.”
Outlaw ended up with 22 points, but Person guard Maurelle Stephens was huge for the Rockets, too, with three 3-pointers, including one the home fans doubted when he launched it from way out yonder to begin those four minutes of overtime.
Down the stretch they came with McNeill answering for Hillside to tie the game.
But Outlaw, who poured it on when it mattered most with 10 overtime points, penetrated the lane and made a basket with a Hillside player hanging off his arm. His free throw was good to give Person a little breathing room, but not much.
On the other end, McNeill was fouled on a layup and made the free throw after missing a bunch in regulation.
Person was up 65-64 with two minutes to play.
Self drew a charge on Person’s Terrick Scoggins, giving Hillside the ball that led to another McNeill bucket.
Like prizefighters, these two squads went blow for blow, this time Person’s Jerry Smith coming up with a basket to put his team up 67-66.
Stephens was fouled with 34.8 seconds left to play. He missed the first free throw but made the second one to give Person a 68-66 lead.
Then McNeill drew a whistle for pushing Outlaw, who went to line and dropped in two more freebies, essentially wrapping it up.
BOYS' SUMMARY
Hillside 66, Person 72
Hillside|17|14|12|16 |7—66
Person|19|7|14|19|13—72
HILLSIDE—Darian Allen 22, DeShon Self 4, TyQuon Reid 6, Trevion Thompson 5, Marius McAllister 2, Dyron Jones 8, Josh McNeill 15, Isaiah McNeely 4
PERSON—Marquis Torain 2, Maurelle Stephens 13, Terrick Scoggins 9, Logan Coats 4, Ricky Winstead 5, Jerry Smith 11, Tyrone Outlaw 22, Devin Scoggins 6
Records—Hillside 10-6, 5-3 PAC-6 4-A; Person 15-4, 6-2 PAC-6.
GIRLS' SUMMARY
Hillside 86, Person 24
Hillside|30|25|18|13—86
Person |3|5|9|7—24
HILLSIDE—Emerald Smith 3, Jamisha Lee 12, Tykyrah Williams 8, Mylea McKenith 10, Justine Lyon 9, Terry Crews 2, Jordyn Smith 15, Imari McLean 4, Daesha Marshall 6, Morgan McGee
PERSON—Christina Harris 10, Tiana Hatchett 2, Akira Outlaw 8, Morgan Villines 4
Records – Hillside 15-2, 8-0 PAC-6 4-A; Person 5-15, 1-7 PAC-6
