POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The Pearl River men's basketball team closed out its 2024 home slate in style Tuesday night, cruising past William Carey JV 84-44.

Stevent Watkins Jr. (Ridgeland) scored a career-high 26 points, drilling seven 3-pointers in the process. He also had four assists and four steals.

"He plays great defense and can make an open shot," head coach Chris Oney said. "I don't know if all of those 3-pointers tonight were skill, but they sure looked good going in."

Jayden Sampson (Cleveland; Cleveland Central) finished with a career-high 18 points and 11 rebounds to earn a double-double.

"I feel comfortable throwing him the ball on the block and letting him make moves," Oney said. "He's not limiting us on offense at all. We need him to keep improving every day."

Watkins hit his first 3-pointer of the contest with 16:13 remaining in the first half to even the game up at 5-5. He followed with two more long balls, and the Wildcats (8-2 overall) built out a 15-5 advantage.

Kedrick Osby (Moss Point) extended Pearl River's lead to 30-17 a while later, moving his way inside for a layup. After a Wildcat free throw and a William Carey JV 3-pointer, Watkins Jr. struck two more times, 37-20.

When the first half ended, Pearl River had a 42-22 advantage.

The second half was nearly identical for the Wildcats as they continued to pile on the points. Sampson led the charge in the second half, scoring 12 of his 18 points during the 20-minute frame as PRCC walked away with an 84-44 victory.

NEXT UP
The Wildcats hit the road Thursday for the Alabama/Mississippi Challenge in Bay Minette, Ala. The Wildcats take on Coastal Alabama – South on Thursday and Bishop State on Friday. 

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