Northwest Rankin boys basketball in first MHSAA state final since 1990
Northwest Rankin hasn't played in a boys basketball state championship game since 1990. That will change on Saturday.
The Cougars (25-8) rolled to a 58-46 victory over Horn Lake (29-2) in the MHSAA Class 6A semifinals on Wednesday. Senior Brendan Brown led the Northwest Rankin with 29 points, and the Cougars are one win away from clinching their first championship in program history.
"Making it to the third round last year, losing that and we lost seven seniors that actually got playing time," Northwest Rankin coach Joshua Luckett said. "Coming back this year nobody believed in us but us. From Day 1 it was Big House or bust."
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Outstanding start for Northwest Rankin
The Cougars took a double-digit lead with 1:48 remaining in the first quarter after Davion James slithered into the lane in transition and drained a midrange jumper. It was the punctuating basket in a 13-1 quarter for Northwest Rankin. Horn Lake shot 0-for-11 and struggled to find any offensive flow.
"That's one thing that we talk a lot about all the time going out there and throwing the first punch," Luckett said. "Try to go out there and hit them in the mouth early and get a lead because the game of basketball each team will make a run."
Kylen Pernell powers Eagles comeback
Pernell's 3-pointer with 4:15 left in the fourth quarter brought the Eagles within three points, but Horn Lake would get no closer. Pernell's team-high 18 points on 6-for-14 shooting saved the Eagles from a blowout loss, but Horn Lake couldn't get over the hump.
Conner Simms added 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting, but he was the only other Eagles player in double figures. It was only the third time this season Horn Lake scored less than 50 points.
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Late composure prevails for the Cougars
Pernell's final make from 3-point range was the beginning of the end for the Eagles, as Northwest Rankin went on a 10-1 run to close out the game. Brown was there to make free throws and get the Cougars into their offense efficiently. Brown went 16-for-18 from the free throw line.
He was the only Cougar in double figures and he also added, six rebounds, three steals and two assists.
"We've been to the second and third round these last couple of years and sometimes our best guys don't show up," Luckett said. "He stepped up big, put the team on his back and finished the deal."
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MHSAA basketball playoffs: Northwest Rankin ends 6A final drought
