Nanih Waiya’s boys overcame a 17-point deficit in the second half, erupting for 27 points in the fourth quarter to knock off Vardaman 54-52 in the Region 6-1A consolation game last Friday night at West Lowndes.
Both Nanih Waiya teams kept their seasons alive with top-four finishes in last week’s district tournament. The Lady Warriors (4-25) knocked off Noxapater 49-35 on Tuesday and wound up fourth in the tourney; while the Warriors (8-20) finished third after Friday night’s win over Vardaman.
The Nanih Waiya girls were to travel to Region 7-1A champion Leake County Monday night in MHSAA Class 1A state playoff action. A loss would end their season, while a win would push them into the round of 16 on Friday against either Lumberton or Ethel at 7 p.m.
The Nanih Waiya boys, meanwhile, were scheduled to go to 7-1A runne-rup Stringer on Tuesday night in an elimination playoff game. A win would push the Warriors into a Saturday night contest against either East Marion or Durant at 7 p.m.
The Warriors, who earned a bye into the semifinals of last week’s district tournament with a third-place finish during the regular season, fell 50-39 to Noxapater on Thursday before the come-from-behind win over Vardaman on Friday.
Vardaman opened the game with a 14-3 run and led by 17 on two occasions in the third quarter. The Rams were up 42-27 after three periods, but Nanih Waiya outscored them 27-10 in the final 8 minutes.
Region MVP Isaac Eiland scored 27 points to go with eight rebounds and five assists and Chris Smith scored 12 points and had nine rebounds to lead the Warriors.
Bryce Stanton added nine points and seven rebounds and Jordan Higginbotham had five points and six boards. Stanton had five steals, Quinn Hodge had four and Higginbotham and Eiland had three each.
In their semifinal game on Thursday, the Warriors were down 28-10 at halftime. They cut the deficit to four twice in the fourth quarter before the Tigers pulled away.
Stanton poured in 16 points to go with 13 rebounds and Smith had 13 points, six rebounds and three steals. Higginbotham grabbed 14 rebounds and Ethan Dailey chipped in five points.
Nanih Waiya’s girls had three solid showings in the tourney: The Lady Warriors avenged an earlier defeat by taking the season series from Noxapater with a 49-35 win on Tuesday. They battled with top-seeded Vardaman for three quarters before the Lady Rams pulled away for a 49-26 win on Thursday; and then Nanih Waiya lost a 47-45 heartbreaker to Hamilton in Friday’s consolation game.
Region MVP Hope Thames poured in 69 points in the three games, including 27 in the Tuesday win over Noxapater.
In that contest, Nanih Waiya trailed 18-15 at halftime before starting the second half with a 24-4 run.
Dallyn Nance chipped in eight points and Lexy Bush scored five in the win.
In Thursday’s game, Thames scored 16 and Bush four.
And, in the consolation game Friday, Thames pumped in 26 points while Bush scored eight and Nance five. The Lady Warriors led 39-34 going into the fourth quarter before Hamilton rallied for the win.
